As the name suggests, Quintus is a blend of four very different grape varieties: Tannat 34%, Tempranillo 23%, Cabernet Sauvignon 17%,Saperavi 16%, and Shiraz 10%.
I have noticed Tannat and Saperavi being planted around Australia, creeping on to the market over the last 30 years.
We are now seeing different verities that we are not familiar with, being planted and doing well as the climate changes or at least see the grapes varieties we know being planted in different wine regions around Australia and producing better wines.
In the Glass: This wine is a dark/purple black.
On the Nose: Deep dark fruit flowed from the glass oak wafted across the top of the glass, once again old world depth came springing to mind.
In the Mouth: An old world depth of flavour filled the rather structured palate. There was a depth of certainty the wine I was not expecting. There was a harmony beaten the 4 grapes that took the wine to another level, fine grain oak tannins filled the mouth and nose.
You could almost taste the individual characters of each grape variety if you are familiar with the likes of Tannat, Tempranillo and Saperavi, that is.
The wine has a seamless power as you would expect given the use of grapes like Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, all known for their power and strength and ageing ability. This wine offers a complexity well above its price tag.
The wine is robust and requires robust meat dishes in rich, dark sauces. Nothing flash, just tasty!
The winemaker is confident that this wine will do 10+ years in the cellar.
I was tasting $100.00+ wines on the day, and in all honesty, at $35.00, this wine stood comfortably beside them.
