Château Quintus is a wine-producing estate located in the Saint‑Émilion appellation of the Bordeaux wine region in southwestern France. The property lies on the right bank of the Dordogne River, near the town of Saint‑Émilion, and is situated on a hillside that benefits from a mix of clay‑lime and gravel soils typical of the appellation.
History and Ownership
The estate traces its origins to the early 20th century, when it operated under various names. In 2009, the estate was acquired by the Cazes family—owners of Château Lynch‑Bages in Médoc—who renamed it Château Quintus. Subsequent investments led to vineyard replanting, modernization of winemaking facilities, and expansion of the estate’s production capacity.
Vineyard and Production
The vineyard area under vine covers approximately 25 ha (hectares). The varietal composition is typical for Saint‑Émilion, with a predominance of Merlot (about 70 %), supplemented by Cabernet Franc (≈ 25 %) and a minor proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon (≈ 5 %). Harvest is conducted by hand, and the grapes are fermented in temperature‑controlled stainless‑steel tanks before undergoing maturation in French oak barrels, of which roughly 50 % are new.
Château Quintus produces a single grand vin, also named Château Quintus, which is released in the second week of October each vintage year. The estate also produces a second wine, “Le Prieuré de Château Quintus,” and a limited “Cuvée” bottling that emphasizes earlier‑riped fruit. Annual production of the grand vin typically ranges between 8 000 and 10 000 cases.
Classification
In the 2012 revision of the Saint‑Émilion classification, Château Quintus was listed as a Grand Cru Classé property. This designation places it among the higher tier of classified growths in the appellation, although it is not part of the Premier Grand Cru Classé (A or B) categories.
Reputation and Market
Château Quintus has been noted in wine publications for producing wines that combine the richness and fruit concentration of Merlot with the structure and aromatic complexity contributed by Cabernet Franc. Critics have generally assigned the estate’s recent vintages scores in the mid‑90s (out of 100) from major wine rating agencies, indicating a reputation for quality within the Saint‑Émilion hierarchy.
References
- Bordeaux Wine Official Classification (Saint‑Émilion, 2012).
- Château Quintus official website, technical sheet and vineyard data (accessed 2024).
- Wine Spectator, “Château Quintus Review,” various vintages.
No speculative or unverified information is included in this entry.