2021 Ch Quintus Grand Cru Classé, St-Émilion

The 2021 Quintus shows considerable promise, displaying more concentration and character than the 2017, combined with appreciably lower alcohol than intervening vintages. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, plums, loamy soil, raw cocoa and a deft framing of new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered, with good concentration and a seamless, complete profile. It's a blend of around 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc from the limestone slopes.

"It's simple, really," explains Jean-Philippe Delmas. "We produce the Saint-Émilion de Quintus from sandy soils on the plain, the Dragon de Quintus from colluvial soils at the bottom of the slope and Quintus itself from the limestone hillside. In Burgundy, we'd call them our village, premier cru and grand cru bottling, but in Bordeaux—and it doesn't sound as good!—we call them our third, second and first wines." Quintus itself spans some 32 hectares, assembled with the acquisition of châteaux Tertre Daugay, L’Arrosée and, more recently, Grand Pontet. Delmas describes the challenge of the low-pH wines of Saint-Émilion's slopes as being how to deliver supple and integrated tannins without picking too ripe or having too oxidative an élevage. As the adventure continues, the 2021s show an assured hand—and plenty of promise.

92-94 points WK robertparker.com

The 2021 Quintus is the most elegant wine I have ever tasted here by a wide measure. Nearly half of this fruit is from the former Grand Pontet property, and that fruit seems to bring a measure of aromatic intensity and freshness. These wines have lacked in some vintages. All the elements are so well balanced. Bright saline notes linger on the finish. This is impressive for the year.

92-94 points AG vinous.com

Fragrant, perfumed strawberries and red cherries on the nose, they have a sweet note to them, so welcoming, really bursting out of the glass. Smooth but also quite sharp on the palate with a rush of red fruits - cherries, raspberries, redcurrants and plums fill the palate - with mouthwatering acidity balanced by touches of wet stone minerality, iodine, graphite and pencil. You definitely get the feeling of the terroir here in the chalky saltiness, as well as the stalky, bramble, spiced Cabernet Franc giving backbone and direction. Quite a bit of smoked cedar spice comes in on the end, just overshadowing the brightness and overall sense of fun to this. Well worked with promise.

Drinking Window 2025 - 2040

92 points GH decanter.com

Extremely focused and refined, with firm tannins that run the length of the wine. Medium-bodied with lovely length and juiciness. Blackberry and earth with mushroom and bark. Hints of orange peel, too. 68.2% merlot, 31.3% cabernet franc and 0.5% malbec.

94-95 points jamessuckling.com