2014 Le Dragon de Quintus
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Tasting notes
The second wine of Château Quintus, the 2014 Le Dragon de Quintus is a pretty, juicy, elegant wine based on 77% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc. Black cherries, leafy herbs, hints of raspberries and underbrush all give way to a silky, elegant, beautifully balanced red that has loads of charm and is already drinking great.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2014 Dragon de Quintus has a slightly gawky nose, missing the cohesion of its peers at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, classic in style with plenty of sous-bois and tobacco notes, gaining some flesh and fruité towards the more cohesive finish. Give this Deuxième Vin another year. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Tasted blind. Pale crimson. Light and fragrant; not trying too hard. Some may reproach it for a lack of ripeness. (JR)
The 2014 Le Dragon de Quintus comes from vines located on the lower reaches of côte (although from 2015 it contains some located on the plateau). It has retained that slightly floral bouquet that I observed out of barrel, wilted rose petals infusing the red berry fruit, now joined by orange rind and subtle marmalade scents. The palate is medium-bodied with attractive red cherry and crushed strawberry fruit, smooth in texture with that orange rind motif returning on the finish.
About the producer
Ch. Quintus is the flagship Saint-Emilion estate of Domaine Clarence Dillon (owners of Ch. Haut-Brion and Ch. la Mission Haut-Brion). Following the purchase of Ch. Tertre Daugay in 2011 and Ch. l’Arrosée in 2013, the two were merged to form Ch. Quintus. The first vintage of the wine was 2011.