2018 Château Quinault l'Enclos Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

Quinault l'Enclos comes from a very gravelly soil with excellent drainage, but there is not much water during dry periods. Expertly produced by the team at Cheval Blanc (who purchased the estate in 2008), the wine nevertheless retained its composure under the dry and warm aging conditions of 2018, with a respectable pH of 3.67 and a relatively moderate alcohol content of 14.1 %. The 2018 Quinault l'Enclos has a deep garnet purple color and beautifully expressed notes of baked black cherries, ripe black plums and blackberries, plus hints of violets, dark chocolate, star anise and tobacco leaf. The medium-bodied palette has a beautiful velvety texture and an abundance of freshness that supports the perfumed black fruits, with a long and fragrant finish. This vintage is a blend of 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, aged in 50% new oak and the remainder in one-year-old 500-liter barrels and foudres. It's tempting to drink this now, but give it two years in the cellar for full effect and enjoy it for the next 17+ years.

About Château Quinault l'Enclos

Château Quinault l'Enclos has a rich history dating back to the 17th century. The estate was purchased in 2008 by the owners of the famous Château Cheval Blanc , one of the most prestigious wineries in Saint-Émilion. Since the takeover, significant investment has been made in the vineyards and winemaking facilities, which has led to a significant improvement in wine quality.

The Quinault l'Enclos vineyards cover approximately 20 hectares and are located on very gravelly soil with excellent drainage properties. This soil type is ideal for growing quality grapes. The vineyards are planted with a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, which is typical of the Saint-Émilion region. The grapes are harvested by hand and carefully selected to use only the best fruit for wine production. Fermentation takes place in a combination of concrete and stainless steel tanks, which helps to preserve the fruity and fresh qualities of the wine. The wine is aged in a mix of new and one-year-old French oak barrels and large foudres, which adds to the complexity and structure of the wine without the oak flavors being overpowering.