Chateau Quinault l'Enclos, 2016

St Emilion Grand cru, Bordeaux
92 Points - Wine advocate

Description and Reviews:
Quinault l'Enclos is now under the same ownership as the famous Cheval Blanc. Not surprisingly, it is producing outstanding wines at great value and the 2016 is no exception.

This was the first vintage that technical director Pierre-Olivier Clouet started to exclusively use 500-liter barrels for Quinault l'Enclos, decreasing the surface area to which the wines are exposed and, ultimately, the impact of the oak. The percentage of new oak is around 50%, and the blend is 68% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Quinault l'Enclos opens with expressive redcurrants, black raspberries and black cherries scents with savory suggestions of tapenade, dried herbs and tobacco plus a waft of cloves. Medium-bodied, the palate is fantastically bright and lively with loads of red fruit accents and a firm frame of grainy tannins, finishing on an earthy note.

93
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (Interim No), November 2018

Château Quinault l'Enclos is a distinguished wine estate located in the Saint-Émilion appellation of Bordeaux, France. Nestled within the historic town of Libourne, the estate spans 19 hectares and features a mix of gravel, sand, and clay soils. The vineyard is planted with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, reflecting the region's traditional varietal composition. Under the ownership of the renowned winemaking team at Château Cheval Blanc since 2008, Château Quinault l'Enclos has elevated its reputation through meticulous vineyard management and innovative winemaking techniques. The resulting wines are celebrated for their elegance, balance, and complex flavor profiles, characterized by ripe red and black fruit notes, floral hints, and refined tannins. Château Quinault l'Enclos exemplifies the modern refinement of Saint-Émilion wines, offering both approachability in youth and excellent aging potential.