2016 Le Dragon De Quintus 1500ml

93 POINTS

James Suckling

A delicious and fresh St.-Emilion with ripe blackberries and a subtle, mineral note that shows clearly on the long, crisp and juicy finish. Second wine of Château Quintus. Already friendly, but better from 2020.

90 POINTS

Neal Martin - Wine Advocate

The 2016 Le Dragon de Quintus is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc that was picked between 3 and 20 October. I found that aromatics tightly wound and a little unresponsive when I tasted it at Haut-Brion, though I managed to coax blackcurrant and bilberry scents, a touch of pressed flowers with time. I would like to see more vigor once in bottle. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin: blackberry mingling with white pepper and cloves, nicely balanced with commendable presence on the grainy finish. Hopefully the aromatics will wake up with time in barrel and perhaps 12-18 months in bottle.

90 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Wine Advocate

Blended of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2016 le Dragon de Quintus leaps from the glass with bold blackberry preserves, stewed plums and wild blueberry scents plus suggestions of new leather, menthol and pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating black and blue fruit preserves with a velvety frame and lovely spicy sparks on the finish.

90 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2016 Le Dragon de Quintus is dark, pliant and supple. Dark cherry, mocha, espresso and spice notes all flesh out in this succulent, racy second wine from Quintus. Élevage has given the 2016 soft contours and also a bit more oak influence than the wine showed en primeur. I would give the 2016 a few years in bottle to shed some of its baby fat. The 2016 spent 12 months in 29% new oak. I would prefer to drink the 2016 over the next few years, while the wine remains supple.

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2016 Le Dragon de Quintus has a perfumed, floral bouquet of red fruit infused with pressed rose petals; kirsch and orange blossom emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. A little pinched on the entry, and quite peppery, with gentle grip toward the tinny finish. Give this a couple of years to shave off those edges.

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2016 Dragon de Quintus has a fleshy, dried-blood-tinged bouquet that comes across more savory than its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, but rather rustic at the moment, and it attenuates slightly toward the finish. More substance is required. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Richard Hemming MW - JancisRobinson.com

90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Simple blackberry fruit, a touch of liquorice and notable alcohol vapour. Modern, plush, full. Finely manicured tannins. Persistence of fruit on the finish, which gives modest ageing potential – although the structure is more for drinking soon. Score: 16++/20

Jancis Robinson MW

The wine the trade has to buy if they want Haut-Brion. Tasted blind. Richly black-fruited. The fruit, for once, dominates the tannin. Pretty massive and burly but should not disappoint. Quite long. Score: 16.5/20