The 2020 Quintus Bordeaux Blend, produced by Quintus in the Saint Emilion sub-region of Bordeaux, France, stands out with its rich and complex profile. This red wine, bottled with a cork closure and containing 15.5% alcohol, has garnered high praise from several professional reviewers.
Decanter awarded the wine a score of 93, describing it as "exuberant and confident," with pronounced damson and black cherry fruit flavors. The review highlighted notes of chocolate and liquorice, remarking on its "round and supple texture" but noting that the high alcohol content currently overshadows some of its limestone nuances. Decanter suggested these characteristics will become more apparent with 8 to 10 years of aging.
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com gave an excellent score of 96, praising the wine as "supple, fresh, and vibrant" with layers of silky fruits, salty rocks, stones, flowers, spice, and red pit fruits. Leve emphasized its "sensuous, polished, and energetic" nature, noting a "beautiful purity and refinement in the finish."
James Suckling's review, with an outstanding score of 98, described the wine as "very chalky and salty with lots of mineral character," featuring "lots of purple fruit and firm tannins." He found it "racy and bright" with "chewy yet fine tannins," calling it "gorgeous" and remarking that it "gets better and better."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, represented by William Kelley, rated the wine a 94, noting it as one of the most successful renditions of Quintus to date. Kelley highlighted aromas of dark cherries, wild berries, sweet spices, and licorice, along with its full-bodied, seamless, and integrated profile. Despite its high 15.4% alcohol content, Kelley found it impressively balanced.
Jeb Dunnuck awarded the wine a score of 96, describing it as "a big, velvety textured wine" with "pure crème de cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as leafy herbs, graphite, and chocolate." Dunnuck praised its "round, mouth-filling texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish," noting the estate's consistent high performance.
Vinous, through Antonio Galloni, rated it 94, commending its "soft contours and generous fruit" and "harmony." Galloni mentioned aromas and flavors of blueberry, mocha, lavender, spice, and new leather.
Wine Enthusiast rated the wine 95, highlighting its "rich tannins, equally opulent fruits, and ripe flavors of black plums," and noting the wine's promising aging potential.
Lastly, The Wine Independent, with a score of 96, described the wine as "deep garnet-purple colored" with "flamboyant black cherry compote, blueberry preserves, and Christmas cake scents." Lisa Perrotti-Brown remarked on its "beautifully plush tannins and an electric backbone of freshness."
Overall, the 2020 Quintus Bordeaux Blend is celebrated for its complexity, balance, and potential for aging, making it a noteworthy addition to any wine collection.