2020 Chateau Dragon de Quintus – St. Emilion

The second wine of Château Quintus — the Domaine Clarence Dillon (Haut-Brion) property on the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion — the Dragon offers a compelling entry point into one of the Right Bank’s most exciting estates. Composed of 84.7% Merlot and 15.3% Cabernet Franc, it shows a deep garnet-purple color with plum preserves, kirsch, black raspberries, and cinnamon toast, plus hints of mossy bark and incense. On the palate it’s supple and silky, progressing on a delicate, tightly-knit texture of tannin, with flavors of dark fruit combining with woody notes and a persistent fleshiness that makes it very charming. Rich, plush, and expressive — a warming, crowd-pleasing Saint-Émilion with plenty of intensity. Drink now through 2035.