Quinault l'Enclos comes from off a very gravelly soil with great drainage, but there's not a lot of water during dry periods. Adeptly produced by the team of Cheval Blanc (who purchased the estate in 2008), the wine nonetheless maintained its poise under the dry and warm ripening conditions of 2018, coming in at a respectable pH of 3.67 and relatively moderate alcohol 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 boysenberries, plus hints of violets, dark chocolate, star anise and tobacco leaf. The medium-bodied palate has a gorgeous velvety texture and oodles of freshness supporting the perfumed black fruits, finishing long and fragrant. This vintage is a blend of 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, aged in 50% new oak and the rest in one-year-old 500-liter barrels and foudres. It is tempting to drink this right now, but give it two years in the cellar for full impact and enjoy it over the next 17+ years.

The estate is surrounded by the suburbs of the city of Libourne and this wine is produced by the team at Château Cheval Blanc. That combination has produced a sequence of fine wines, like this release. Rich fruits have been given a sheen of wood aging and crafted tannins to make a wine that will age well. Drink from 2026.

Bright savory and bay leaf notes lead off, followed by lightly dried red currant and red cherry fruit flavors. Ends with a swath of cedar on the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2026.

This is the best Quinault ever for me with beautiful density and depth of fruit. Full body, velvety tannins and a long and intense finish. Lots of fruit, but the tannins hold it together.

Much better in bottle than in barrel, the wine has filled out, gaining complexity and texture. Now you find a rich, luxurious, licorice, black cherry, smoke, spice and floral oriented wine. Medium-bodied with velvety tannins, give it a few more years in the cellar and it should really start rocking!