Wine Advisor
Quinault l'Enclos 2010
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. This somewhat unfairly disparaged cru made a very fine 2010 and it appears to be meliorating in bottle. The nose adorned upon the Quinault l'Enclos is more foursquare and masculine that its peers, quite classy and defined with lovely sous-bois notes infusing the black fruit profile. The oak here is nicely assimilated. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, layers of gorgeous taut black fruit, yet surprisingly foursquare in the mouth with a powerful, classic graphite finish. Excellent. Tasted January 2014.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2010 sports a new label, since Quinault L’Enclos was purchased from Alain Raynaud and his wife by the owners of Cheval Blanc. Deep ruby/purple, with a little more muscle and power than most previous vintages have possessed, this wine displays notes of black raspberries, black currants, licorice, and some crushed rock. It is classically styled, with moderate tannin to shed, but don’t expect it to be long-lived, since most vintages of Quinault L’Enclos under Dr. Raynaud seemed to hit their peak very quickly, around age 7 to 10, and are probably best drunk in their first 15 years of life.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Now in its third year under the Cheval Blanc team who have converted the vineyard to organic viticulture, this is a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon & Malbec, this has quite a broody, introverted bouquet with mulberry, dark cherry and some light sandy notes. It would benefit from a little more vigour. The palate is medium-bodied with light, slightly grainy tannins, good acidity but showing a little hardness towards the finish that will dissipate by the time of bottling. It just tastes a little “static” and needs a little more tension. Drink 2012- Tasted March 2011.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
This wine was tasted at Chateau Haut-Brion. The Quinault L’Enclos is a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has decent fruit intensity and harmony on the nose, though it seems a little conservative. The palate is balanced with well-integrated new oak (40%) with a dense, balsamic tinged finish. Perhaps it is trying hard to make an impression, but it is nicely made. Tasted November 2012.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This property have turned out a finesse-styled 2010 with loads of blueberry and raspberry fruit as well as hints of pomegranate, crushed rock and damp earth. A blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, it is medium-bodied and stylish, not a blockbuster by any means, but a wine of finesse to drink over the next 10-12 years. This old property was brought to life by Dr. Alain Raynaud and then sold to the owners of Cheval Blanc.
About the Producer
Chateau Quinault l'Enclos is located in the Saint-Emilion appellation of Bordeaux, France, and dates back to the 17th century. The winery takes its name from a writer named Philipe Quinault. In 1930, the estate of the Château de Montréal was only 8 hectares. Until the 1990s, when Chateau Quinault l'Enclos came under the wing of the famous winemaking family - Raynaud Family, Dr. Alain Raynaud invested heavily in Chateau Quinault, eventually making it one of the most famous châteaux in Saint-Emilion. In 2008, Quinault l'Enclos was taken over by Bernard Arnault and Albert Frere, owners of the LVMH group. Then the winery became part of the LVMH group, along with the famous Chateau Cheval Blanc and Chateau La Tour Figeac, and the estate's vineyard area was expanded. The winemaking team became the Pierre Lurton team of Château Cheval Blanc. Michel Rolland, the famous "flying winemaker", was also hired as a consultant. Now, the vineyard is approximately 20 hectares, planted with 83% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The oldest vines were planted in 1930, and the average age is 45 years. The vineyard was taken over by LVMH in 2008 and was converted to organic farming, and in 2012 it was successfully certified as such. When Dr. Alain Raynaud was at the helm of Château Grand Cru, the wines produced were straightforward, sweet and ripe, round and soft, in the typical style of Saint-Emilion wines, suitable for drinking in their youth, with an optimum age of 10 to 12 years. Today's winemaking team, Pierre Lurton's team, produces wines that are clearer and fresher on the palate, with pleasantly soft tannins and well-integrated oak flavours.
