2018 Château Quinault L'Enclos

Château Quinault L’Enclos is a 49.4-acre estate in Libourne, in the Bordeaux appellation of Saint-Emilion, on the right bank of the Gironde River. The estate is believed to date to the 17th century, and it changed hands several times in the 20th century. In the 1990s it was bought by Alain Raynaud, a physician, who with his wife and help from consulting winemakers including Michel Rolland, turned the estate into one of the stars of the district. In 2008 the estate was bought by Bernard Arnault, head of the LVMH luxury goods conglomerate, and his associate Albert Frere. Quinault L’Enclos is planted to 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec. About 60,000 bottles are produced annually, and there is a second wine, called La Fleur Quinault. The flagship wine is a Grand Cru of the St. Emilion classification.

Saint-Émilion is on the east side of the Dordogne River. At 13,400 acres it is one of Bordeaux’s largest appellations, and perhaps its most picturesque. It is also home to what has been called “the garagiste” movement of upstart, tradition-defying winemakers who produce artisanal wines in styles that are unconventional for the appellation. The village of Saint-Émilion dates from the middle ages and it sits on low hills, surrounded by ancient walls. Like its neighbor Pomerol, Saint-Émilion was not included in the famous Bordeaux classification system of 1855. But a century later a ranking system was put in place, and unlike the classification system for the Medoc, the Saint-Émilion system is reviewed every ten years, meaning that estates can be upgraded or downgraded. There are three rankings: Grand Cru Classé, Premier Grand Cru Classé B and Premier Grand Cru Classé A, with the final ranking being the best. Such legendary Saint-Émilion estates as Châteaux Ausone and Cheval-Blanc are Premier Grand Cru Classé A, along with Châteaux Pavie and Angélus, both added to the classification in 2012. Wines in this appellation are primarily Merlot, mixed with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

"This is St.-Emilion at its most eloquent and pure expression." -Robert M. Parker, Jr. (Bordeaux, Fourth Edition)