Wine Advisor
Quinault l'Enclos 2019
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: William Kelley
Aromas of sweet cherries, rose petals, violets and dark chocolate introduce the 2019 Quinault l'Enclos, a medium to full-bodied, ample and lively wine that's produced by Cheval Blanc's winemaking team.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2019 Quinault L'Enclos is racy, supple and wonderfully inviting. A wine of depth and texture, the 2019 impresses with its exceptional balance and class. Sweet red berry fruit, cedar, spice, tobacco and licorice build beautifully with a bit of time in the glass. This is a terrific showing from Quinault, which as readers probably know, is owned by Cheval Blanc. Over the last dozen years more than half the property has been developed. The results are starting to show. One of the most unique aspects of Quinault is that 20% of the wine is aged in 550-liter barrels, which are used to confer greater freshness. The 2019 is flat out gorgeous.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2019 Quinault l'Enclos comes across a bit flat on the nose compared to its peers, smudged mulberry and blackberry scents, a touch of stewed black tea. The palate is toasty and almost Rhône-like, peppery, quite fat with a concentrated, voluminous finish. Just lacks some elegance and class. I wonder if this is representative? I include a question mark against my score. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2019 Quinault L’Enclos, which is aged 20% in foudres and 80% in demi-muids, has a refined, elegant bouquet of cranberry, wild strawberry and rose petal scents, plus a hint of orange blossom. The palate is medium-bodied and firm, displaying gritty tannins, nice salinity and predominantly red fruit, with cassis emerging. The savory, dried-blood-tinged finish comes courtesy of the Cabernets. Very fine.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2019 Quinault L’Enclos, which is aged 20% in foudres and 80% in demi-muids, has a refined, elegant bouquet of cranberry, wild strawberry and rose petal scents, plus a hint of orange blossom. The palate is medium-bodied and firm, displaying gritty tannins, nice salinity and predominantly red fruit, with cassis emerging. The savory, dried-blood-tinged finish comes courtesy of the Cabernets. Very fine.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
This has linear, very fine tannins that make it minerally and long. Medium body. Dark fruit with lavender and violet undertones. Very fresh acidity. Flavorful and fine. 74% merlot, 14% cabernet sauvignon and 12% cabernet franc. 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.
