Wine Advisor
Quinault l'Enclos 2015
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2015 Quinault L'Enclos includes Cabernet Sauvignon planted in 2009, representing 19% of the total blend, 12% Cabernet Franc and 69% Merlot. They now use larger 500-liter barrels, new oak but larger in size to work on the volume of the mid-palate. Aged in 50% new wood, it has a tightly wound, pure bouquet with intriguing graphite and cedar notes infusing the red berry and cassis fruit, perhaps a little Left Bank in style compared to other vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, extremely well defined, a slightly graininess in texture with that graphite element defining the finish. There is great length here, an extremely fine Quinault L'Enclos that will give a lot of pleasure with just 4-5 years in bottle.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2015 Quinault l'Enclos has an intense bouquet with scents of blackberry and cranberry, less cassis than it showed in barrel, with veins of graphite showing through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, quite a juicy Quinault with fleshy, rounded red fruit. This will require two or three years at least for the new oak to be fully subsumed while I would like just a little more precision and detail to develop on the finish. It needs just a tad more charm.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2015 Quinault L'Enclos is absolutely gorgeous. Sweet floral, savory and espresso notes give it noticeable brightness, energy and verve. Those qualities are further enhanced by the decision to age Quinault entirely in larger 500-liter barrels (50% new) for 12 months. Medium in body, with vibrant red fruit flavors and saline notes that bristle, the 2015 is impossible to resist, even at this early stage. This is a superb showing from Pierre-Olivier Clouet and the team at Cheval Blanc.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2015 Quinault L'Enclos is absolutely delicious. Bright, floral and nuanced, the 2015 shows off lovely class throughout. The expressive aromatics and underlying salinity are both deeply suggestive of Cabernet Franc, even though Franc is just 12% of the blend. The 2015 is a super-sexy Saint-Émilion that will drink well with minimal cellaring. This is pure finesse.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2015 Quinault l'Enclos has a rather light and brambly bouquet, understated but nuanced with subtle earthy notes. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly coarse tannin, well judged acidity, a little oaky toward the finish that feels drier than I would like at this stage, certainly drier than when I tasted it just after bottling. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
A blend of 69% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 19% Cabernet Sauvignon aged exclusively in 500-liter barrels, 50% new, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Quinault l'Enclos opens with expressive black cherries, red currants and black raspberries notes with hints of baking spices, cigar box and bay leaves plus a waft of menthol. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with vibrant red and black fruits, supported by finely grained tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing long and spicy.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2015 Quinault l'Enclos has a rather light and brambly bouquet, understated but nuanced with subtle earthy notes. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly coarse tannin, well judged acidity, a little oaky toward the finish that feels drier than I would like at this stage, certainly drier than when I tasted it just after bottling. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
A purity and balance to this year with mineral, lavender and licorice character. Full body yet balanced and super silky. Bright and precise. Best ever.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
This is the best wine from here ever with very soft and round tannins. Polished and beautiful. Medium to full body, round and soft tannins and a long and flavorful finish. A gorgeous wine with excellent length and drinkability. Drink or hold.
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.
