Château Tertre Daugay

The estate traces its prominence to at least the mid-nineteenth century, when it appeared among the 14 most sought-after and expensive wines of Saint-Émilion between 1844 and 1848. A gold medal at the 1867 Paris Universal Exhibition further cemented its reputation, and the Cocks and Féret reference guide listed the property as a Saint-Émilion Premier Cru for nearly a century. The name Tertre Daugay derives from the ancient watchtower, the Tertre du Guet, that once occupied the estate's commanding hilltop position. Count Leo de Malet Roquefort purchased the property in 1978, and the Comtes de Malet Roquefort family managed the estate until 2011.

• Listed among Saint-Émilion's top 14 wines in 1844-1848
• Gold medal winner at the 1867 Paris Universal Exhibition
• Recognized as Premier Cru in Cocks and Féret for nearly 100 years
• Acquired by Count Leo de Malet Roquefort in 1978

Domaine Clarence Dillon, the group behind Haut-Brion and its sister estates, acquired Château Tertre Daugay in May 2011. Beginning with the 2011 vintage, the estate was renamed Château Quintus. The name honors the Roman numeral tradition and reflects the property's status as the fifth wine in the Dillon family's portfolio. This acquisition brought one of Saint-Émilion's most historically significant hillside sites under the stewardship of one of Bordeaux's most technically accomplished ownership groups. The rebranding was accompanied by significant investment in both vineyard management and winery infrastructure.

• Acquired by Domaine Clarence Dillon in May 2011
• Renamed Château Quintus from the 2011 vintage onward
• Name references Roman numerals and its place as the fifth Dillon estate
• Brings Haut-Brion ownership group expertise to the Right Bank

The estate sits at 62 meters on a high promontory at the southwestern corner of the Saint-Émilion limestone plateau, one of the appellation's most distinctive topographic positions. This elevated site benefits from varied exposures facing south, west, and north across its slopes, providing both sun accumulation and natural drainage. The soils combine limestone clay on the upper plateau with clay and gravel on the descending slopes, a combination that supports both structure and aromatic complexity. The 16-hectare vineyard is planted to 67% Merlot and 33% Cabernet Franc, a blend typical of premium Saint-Émilion estates that prioritizes richness balanced by freshness.

• Elevated at 62 meters on the southwestern Saint-Émilion plateau
• Multi-directional slopes provide varied sun exposure and natural drainage
• Limestone clay soils on the plateau; clay and gravel on the slopes
• 67% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Franc across 16 hectares

Château Tertre Daugay held Grand Cru Classé status within the Saint-Émilion classification system, which undergoes periodic revision unlike the fixed 1855 Médoc classification. The estate was demoted from its Grand Cru Classé ranking in the 2006 revision, a decision that proved controversial and reflected the classification's susceptibility to legal and procedural challenges. The estate was reinstated to Grand Cru Classé status in 2012, restoring its official recognition within the Saint-Émilion hierarchy. Under its current identity as Château Quintus, the estate continues to hold Grand Cru Classé classification.

• Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé, subject to periodic reclassification
• Demoted in the 2006 revision of the Saint-Émilion classification
• Reinstated to Grand Cru Classé in 2012
• Continues under Grand Cru Classé status as Château Quintus