Dragon de Quintus 2018

Spicy, straightforward on the palate, medium-bodied, firm tannins with freshness, fairly long.

A bright, pure style, with damson plum and cassis notes pierced by a racy chalky streak, ending with light floral nuances on the finish. Not big in scale, but very precise. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2026.

Rich and potent on the nose, fully expressive with ripe red fruits, floral flecks, tobacco, dark chocolate and espresso nuances. Bold yet juicy and refined on the palate, this is smooth with mouthwatering acidity and supple tannins. Ripe blackcurrants, strawberries and black cherries with lashings of dark, savoury elements; liquorice, vanilla and salty crushed stones given lift by menthol freshness. Alive and forward, plump and appealing with lots of energy and focus. Well made, punchy and confident. Great to drink and enjoy today but will continue to age well.

Blueberry and black cherry with some floral and crushed-stone character. Full-bodied and chewy with lots of chalk, stone and dusty character to the blue fruit. Solid. Second wine. Needs three to four years to open. Try after 2025.

The 2018 Le Dragon de Quintus has calmed down since I tasted it in barrel, now much more refined, with pretty and very pure black cherry and boysenberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly powdery texture, touches of graphite infusing the black fruit that imparts a Left Bank personality. Not persistent, but quite strict and linear. This will drink well over the next 8–10 years. Classy.

The 2018 Le Dragon De Quintus is the second wine of Château Quintus and it's a mix of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. (I wasn't given the exact blend.) Deep ruby/purple-hued, with ample black cherry and mulberry fruit intermixed with notes of damp earth, chocolate, and tobacco, it hits the palate with medium- to full-bodied richness, a rounded, supple texture, ripe tannins, and plenty of length on the finish. It's already drinking beautifully and should evolve nicely for a decade.

Le Dragon de Quintus 2018 is deep garnet-purple in color. It offers vanilla and chocolate, over a core of stewed plums and black cherries, with a waft of dried mint. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is firm and grainy, with a thin mid-palate and a drying finish.

24.8% Cabernet Franc and 75.2% Merlot make up the final blend. The wine is lively and fresh with a precisely elongated finish.

Dragon du Quintus echoes the emblematic dragon sculpture at the entrance to the estate. Slightly more extracted, the 2018 still comes across as austere, with tannins lacking suppleness.

Beautiful fruit intensity in the bouquet of Dragon de Quintus (which, by the way, is located in the garden of the Château). Nuances of morello cherry and licorice. On the palate, the wine is delicious, balanced, and pleasantly fruity. It can already be enjoyed in its youth.

Deep, vibrant colour. Medium-intensity nose, fruity and spicy. Smooth palate, with a melting, caressing body and nuanced sensations. Medium length, with well-integrated tannins. A very enjoyable wine for its savoury character.

Fresh, sweet, silky, and filled with elegant, sweet plum and cherry charm, the wine is medium-bodied, forward, refined, and perfect for near-term drinking while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop.

The 2018 le Dragon de Quintus is composed of 75.2% Merlot and 24.8% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it delivers expressive scents of plum preserves, blueberry compote and kirsch, plus suggestions of spice cake, fallen leaves and unsmoked cigars. The palate is full-bodied with bags of black fruit preserves and an earthy undercurrent, framed by soft tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with a spicy kick.