CHÂTEAU QUINTUS

The 2023 Quintus is a rich, racy Grand Vin. Ample and resonant, the 2023 offers up copious dark-toned fruit, cedar, mint, tobacco, incense and French oak. There's tons of power and breadth but also more freshness than the early vintages, even if the oak is a touch present today. Drinking range: 2028 - 2048 Rating: 94-96 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

The blend is 78.3% Merlot and 21.7% Cabernet Franc, and it takes 25% of the harvest from the Quintus vineyard, which was picked at a yields of 43 hl/ha. The aromatics suggest density but with a sense of perfumed delineation, roses and peonies, over a bed of dark chocolate, praline, black olives and currants. The palate is where the concentration comes into play, offering a velvety substance filled out with textured fruit, all salted blackcurrants, dark chocolate, slate and graphite, pushed forward by fabulous drive and energy. This is a great Quintus, perhaps one of the best, the savoury fruits and more modest alcohol (a degree lower than in some previous vintages) doing great things here. So impressive. The alcohol level is 14.5%. Rating: 96-98 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

This year, the 2023 Quintus is a well-performing wine, possessing a dense, complex bouquet of smoke, dark wild berries and licorice intertwined with a delicate, oaky frame. Fleshy and ample, medium to full-bodied, it’s perfectly balanced with a delicate, lively core of fruit and a long, ethereal and chalky finish. The influence of the Grand Pontet limestone plateau lends additional straightness and precision to this wine, a blend of 78.3% Merlot and 21.7% Cabernet Franc. Drinking range: 2025 - 2045 Rating: 93-95 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)