critic reviews
The 2018 Quintus has a deep garnet purple color. It sashays out with flamboyant notes of fruit cake, Indian spices, and dark chocolate, with underlying notes of prunes and blueberries. Full-bodied and plush, the palate is well-structured, with great opulence and length.
A blend of 72.3% Merlot and 27.7% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Quintus is deep garnet-purple in color, bursting from the glass with rambunctious scents of stewed black plums, boysenberries, dried mulberries and Christmas pudding, plus suggestions of sandalwood, cinnamon stick, potpourri and oolong tea. Full-bodied, rich and voluptuously fruited in the mouth, it counters all that fruit with alluring exotic spice and floral accents, supported by plush tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and fragrant.
The 2018 Quintus has gained more exuberance and intensity on the nose since its showing in barrel, offering flamboyant black fruit, blueberry, crushed violet petals and potpourri, all very well defined. A light menthol scent emerges with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp black fruit, tobacco and light cedar aromas. Like the Second Wine, this has emerged with a Left Bank–inspired personality, lightly spiced on the precise, quite minerally finish. Excellent.