Château Quinault l'Enclos 2019

Seductive notes of new oak, berries and liquorice; balanced, full-bodied yet refreshing in style, with a fruity finish; pleasing and excellently crafted.

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 produced by Cheval Blanc's winemaking team.

Round and ripe on the palate, with a savory streak amid cassis, cherry and plum compote notes, while tobacco and red licorice wrap up the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2029. 6,250 cases made.

Gorgeous rich nose, really vividly fruity, full of wild blackcurrants, strawberries and cherries. So rich and intense on the nose, expressive and detailed. Lovely density on the palate too, great concentration but not overt richness or heaviness; in fact, it has a lightness of touch, in line with other wines in the range. Such enjoyable succulence and a vein of freshness. Immediately juicy in the mouth, almost mouthwatering, with bright red and black fruits and a soft mid-palate with some chalky tannins. Smooth and satisfying – just a great mix of concentrated fruits and minty freshness. Lots going on and a long finish. A blend of 74% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Cabernet Franc.

This has linear, very fine tannins that make it mineral 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.

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.

Touches of espresso, licorice, chocolate-covered cherries and smoked earth come alive on the nose. On the palate, the wine is soft, silky, polished and fresh, finishing with ripe, sweet, fresh red plums, cocoa and a hint of savory herbs on the backend. Drink from 2024-2037.

I continue to love this wine, and I think it's undervalued in the market. Coming from a walled vineyard near Libourne and managed by the incredible team at Cheval Blanc, the 2019 Château Quinault L'Enclos reveals a deep purple/ruby hue with a gorgeous, seamless, medium- to full-bodied, perfectly balanced profile that epitomizes the style of the vintage. The tannins are flawlessly integrated, it has a great mid-palate, and it offers up a wonderful bouquet of darker cherries, currants, leafy herbs, and chocolate. It can be drunk today with incredible pleasure given its balance and purity, but it’s going to cruise in cold cellars for at least two decades.

Velvety, fruity bouquet with blackberries, cherries, chocolate, cinnamon stick, herbs. Fruity, fresh palate with powerful, sweet fruit, fine tannins, an elegant structure, intense aromatics, and a long, spicy finish. Has room to improve. 17/20 2025 - 2038

An excellent wine showing restrained but serious power. Tighter in its tannic structure than the 2018, with succulent black fruits punctuated by brighter redcurrant and sage notes. The change at Quinault l'Enclos is probably the biggest of any estate in Saint-Émilion over the past decade, under the direction of the Cheval Blanc team. Ageing in 500L and 2,000L oak casks, and they are looking to 24 months of élevage; here it is 12 months, so this would be a big change. Harvest September 10 to October 2, 41 hl/ha yield.

A blend of 74% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 12% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Quinault L'Enclos is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It needs some coaxing to unlock notes of baked plums and boysenberries followed by hints of bay leaves and pencil shavings with a hint of dried herbs. The medium- to full-bodied palate is delicately played, with compelling freshness and a chewy finish.

[ Primeurs 2019 Score: 92 ] Slightly milky nose, fleshy palate with a creamy texture and an aromatic freshness that is already perfectly defined. Good length. Will soon make for a very fine bottle.

In 2018, the linear, crisp fruit remains mouthwatering. The whole gains deep flesh without forceful extraction, before unfolding into a juicy finish. With aeration, it evolves toward cocoa and fruit, supported by deep tannins and a sweetness that reveals its sandy and gravelly terroir.

The aromatic density of Quinaut l’Enclos hints at an extraordinary wine. It shows brilliant freshness through red berries and mint. This freshness is also omnipresent on the palate. The wine is consequently juicy, while its tannins are fairly tight yet well integrated. A fine success from Quinault!

Dark, intense colour with slight evolution. Very aromatic and rather subtle nose, blending creamy, southern-tinged nuances. On the palate, this 2019 proves to be one of the most meticulously textured wines I know. The mouthfeel is delicate, the body sleek and melting, and the whole is full of charm. Note that this wine is aged in 25- and 50-hectolitre foudres. From 2021 onwards, it will see a longer maturation, approaching 24 months. This should give it another dimension on the finish.

Sweet fruit, yet with a good sense of freshness, jammy plum, darker berries, dry spices. Rather dense palate, a slight tannic backbone, generous ripe fruit, mild oak underneath and fine length.

Dominated by the ripe Merlot, the wine is rich, concentrated with black fruits everywhere. The estate, a vineyard in the city of Libourne, has produced, a dense wine although one that keeps its freshness. Drink from 2025.