Château Quinault L'Enclos - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016

Jeb DUNNUCK

92 / 100

par Jeb Dunnuck le 01/03/2019

Another fresh, pretty wine from the team at Cheval Blanc, the 2016 Château Quinault l'Enclos has nuanced notes of black cherries, blackberries, leafy herbs, and saddle leather. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced and seamless on the palate, with terrific purity, it will benefit from just a handful of years in the cellar.

Wine Spectator

89 / 100

par James Molesworth le 05/02/2019

A fruit-filled version, with waves of warm cassis and raspberry puree infused liberally with anise, incense and tobacco notes. A light bramble edge keeps this just honest enough on the finish. Drink now through 2030. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. –JM

Jamessuckling.com

92 / 100

par James Suckling le 04/02/2019

A juicy and very elegant Quinault, showing hazelnut, dark-berry and cedar character. Medium body, with a lovely, fine-tannin texture and a delicious finish. Drink after 2022.

Vinous

91 / 100

par Neal Martin le 24/01/2019

The 2016 Quinault L’Enclos continues the estate's policy of increasing the Cabernet Sauvignon (now at 20%). It has a refined bouquet with graphite and light cedar aromas emanating from that Cabernet, the oak taking a backseat since it is entirely aged in 500-liter barrels. The classically styled palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin and a fresh line of acidity. The precise yet not powerful finish prioritizes detail over length and grip. Enjoy over the next 12 to 15 years.

Vinous

92 / 100

par Antonio Galloni le 21/01/2019

The 2016 Quinault L'Enclos is very pretty and also intensely aromatic. Savory herb, mint, dried cherry, mocha and sweet tobacco are all lifted in this super-precise, nuanced Saint-Émilion. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. The 2016 is precise, nua and exquisitely beautiful, all in the understated style that is typical here.

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 30/11/2018

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.

Bettane & Desseauve

91-92 / 100

par Bettane & Desseauve le 03/05/2017

20 % cabernet sauvignon, 12 % cabernet franc, 72 % merlot, fraîcheur florale, gourmandise souple, beau tannin fin, précis et délicat.

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

par Neal Martin le 02/05/2017

The 2016 Quinault l'Enclos is a blend of 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 68% Merlot, continuing the team's program of increasing the proportion of Cabernet, picked from 20 September and finishing on 7 October. It is matured in 50% new oak (500-liter barrels) and one-year-old barrels. It has a very pure bouquet with macerated black cherries, a touch of blueberry, a subtle flinty note just tucked underneath. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin on the entry. This feels very fresh and lively in the mouth, perhaps a little more compact than others I tasted, although that is probably because it had been taken from barrel less than an hour before my visit. It is very precise on the brisk, punctual graphite-tinged finish, an almost clinical Quinault l'Enclos that will benefit from five or six year aging in bottle.

Vinous

88-91 / 100

par Antonio Galloni le 26/04/2017

The 2016 Quinault L'Enclos is soft, gentle and inviting. Succulent red cherry, plum, rose petal and spice accents give the wine a lovely sense of floral lift. The Cabernet Franc is quite expressive at this early stage. Silky tannins add to an overall impression of grace and finesse.

matthewjukes.com

17 / 20

par Matthew Jukes le 25/04/2017

(68 Merlot, 20 Cabernet Sauvignon, 12 Cabernet Franc) | 50% new oak – 500l barrels | 13.3% alc. | 61 IPT The percentage of Cabernet in the blend meant that this wine didn’t suffer as much from the hydric stress as the neigh- bouring wines. A lot of Cheval Blanc’s philosophy has been brought to bear here, hence the extra Cabernet additions. Slimmer and more precise than one might expect this is a fine, long, tangy wine. 17+

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

par Jancis Robinson le 21/04/2017

Cheval Blanc, the new owners, are increasing the proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon. 20% Cabernet Sauvignon planted in 2011, 12% Cabernet Franc, 68% Merlot. 50:50 new and one-year-old barrels. 500 litre (new approach at Cheval Blanc).Round and very fruity with some spice and cumin. Much better balanced than it used to be when aged in new oak and heavily extracted, though some sandpaper tannins on the end. Just a little bitter on the end.

Wine Enthusiast

93-95 / 100

par Roger Voss le 19/04/2017

Barrel Sample. The wine has 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, giving a fine black-currant flavor on top of the nice acidity. It's already a delicious wine, full of great fruit and gentle tannins. The vineyard, in the Right Bank town of Libourne, is definitely raising its game.

Jamessuckling.com

92-93 / 100

par James Suckling le 05/04/2017

A very fine bead of tannin runs through the entirety of this wine. Medium to full body, fresh acidity and a juicy finish. Polished. Straight and firm.