Dragon de Quintus 2017

Robust, powerful, compact, austere.

A blend of 87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 le Dragon de Quintus is deep garnet-purple in color and prances out of the glass with exuberant boysenberries, mulberries and warm plums notes plus hints of cinnamon stick, cloves and aniseed with a waft of forest floor. Medium-bodied, the palate is wonderfully juicy, with an elegant structure of plush tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing on a restrained mineral note.

A fresh, high-pitched style, with red currant and damson plum notes streaking through, laced with floral and chalk accents on the racy finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2025.

Like the 2017 grand vin, this is lighter-bodied and more forward. It is attractively fruity on the nose and is gentle, round, and juicy with a fine tannic frame. Classic in style, balanced and refreshing.

Crushed blackberries and violets with raspberries and shiitake mushrooms. Medium body, firm and silky tannins, and a chocolate, hazelnut and berry aftertaste. Extremely well-made second wine. Better after 2022.

Not affected by the frost – hit only their third wine (St-Émilion de Quintus), for which the vines are lower down. 87% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc. Dark purple, sweet, fragrant, nicely dusty with some vanilla sweetness. Intensely fruity, lots of freshness and very smooth tannins. Juicy and quite fleshy. Relatively simple but concentrated. (JH)

The 2017 Le Dragon de Quintus has a fragrant bouquet, quite floral with red berry fruit, red plums, hints of marmalade and oyster shells. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and well-judged acidity. This Deuxième Vin has a nonchalance about it. Open and approachable with peppery notes toward the harmonious finish. Delicious.

Medium-bodied, soft, forward and charming, with sweet red cherry fruit—this is elegance in a glass.

The second wine of the estate, the 2017 Le Dragon De Quintus, is 87% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc harvested between the 14th and 29th of September. It has more depth and richness than the Saint-Emilion release and offers plenty of ripe black cherry and currant fruit as well as medium body, a rounded, nicely textured mouthfeel, good acidity, and plenty of classic chocolate, tobacco, and earthy, herbal aromas and flavors. It too is ideal for drinking in its youth.

The 2017 Le Dragon de Quintus is deep garnet in color. It charges out with bold notes of red and black plums, Morello cherries, and dried herbs, plus a touch of pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a firm, grainy texture and loads of freshness supporting the taut, crunchy fruit, finishing with a lively lift.

Medium garnet red with violet highlights. Bouquet of good intensity with refreshing notes of raspberries and spices. On the palate, the wine is juicy, fruity, and silky on the attack. Well-balanced character. A wine to be enjoyed in its youth.

Dark, intense, and slightly evolved color. For now, the nose is slightly reserved, yet accompanied by superb oak. A delicious palate that continuously caresses, evolving silky and melting, with brilliance on the finish and not a hint of rusticity. A very enjoyable wine.