Chateau Quintus Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012

Quintus is the right-bank project of Domaine Clarence Dillon, owners of First Growth Château Haut-Brion. They assembled the estate in stages on Saint-Émilion’s limestone plateau, and 2012 is one of the very first vintages produced fully under their hand. Merlot-led with a smaller share of Cabernet Franc, raised in a careful percentage of new oak, it is firm, mineral and structured rather than the showy, cushiony style some Saint-Émilions chase. A serious wine with a serious pedigree, and a fascinating glimpse at the early Dillon-era house style.