Quinault l'Enclos 2015

A blend of 69% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 19% Cabernet Sauvignon aged exclusively in 500-liter barrels, 50% new, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Quinault l'Enclos opens with expressive black cherries, red currants and black raspberries notes with hints of baking spices, cigar box and bay leaves plus a waft of menthol. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with vibrant red and black fruits, supported by finely grained tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing long and spicy. 2020 - 2039

This is the best wine from here ever with very soft and round tannins. Polished and beautiful. Medium to full body, round and soft tannins and a long and flavorful finish. A gorgeous wine with excellent length and drinkability. Drink or hold.

Tasted blind. Mid crimson. Neat, fresh and rich on the nose. Luscious and polished with lots of juice. Attractive, spicy, fleshy drink in which the fruit triumphs over the tannin. Good wine for relatively early drinking. 14%
Drink 2023-2036

This 28 hectare Saint Emilion property in the suburbs of Libourne has recently changed hands and is now under the same ownership as Cheval Blanc. Wine-making has changed too with a much more subtle style being produced. The vineyard is planted with 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Elevage is in double sized (450 litre) barrels which are 50% new, and 50% one year old. This gives the wine a less oaky taste than under the old regime and the wines produced here now are much more in the sophisticated, silky Cheval Blanc style. Much improved, yet modestly priced. Bright ruby colour with a pure cherry and plum fruit nose. The palate is silky and sweet with black chocolate and coffee overlayed by black cherry fruit. This is very polished and smooth, and will prove excellent for early drinking.

A ripe, heady, blockbuster styled beauty, the 2015 Château Quinault l'Enclos (69% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc) reveals a deep purple color as well as super ripe (but not overripe) notes of blackcurrants, Asian spices, cherries, and earth. With full-bodied richness, high, yet sweet tannin, and an incredible texture that seemed to improve every time I came back to the glass, it’s already beautifully but will keep for 15-20 years. 2018 - 2038

Ripe on the nose the palate has sweetness and depth dark chocolate under the rich fruit. Polished with fine tannins the richness at the back is balanced by underlying freshness the finish has length and elegance. 2022-33

The best vintage yet under LVMH’s ownership, 2015 is marked by the high percentage of
Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, giving the wine energy, perfume and structure. Aromatic,
leafy and well balanced with grassy freshness and well-integrated oak. Drink: 2022-30

The nose is dark, full and dry and the palate follows this theme, but it never gets out of hand. Not perhaps as complex
as I would like, and rather short, having said this it is fresh and bright, reflecting its cool September. It is rather more
refreshing than the warmer 2009 and more reflective of the 2010, but not quite as complex.

The 2015 Quinault l'Enclos has a rather light and brambly bouquet, understated but nuanced with subtle earthy notes. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly coarse tannin, well judged acidity, a little oaky toward the finish that feels drier than I would like at this stage, certainly drier than when I tasted it just after bottling. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.