2018 Quinault l'Enclos
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
70% Merlot, 30% Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc. Around 20% new 400-litre barrels. Baked fruit, with well-defined plum flavour. Dark and savoury on the palate, chocolate and a bit of violet. Succulent tannins that are ready to drink now. Bitter black-olive finish. Admirable classicism. (RH)
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Unusually fragrant. Quite dramatic fruit that’s doing battle with significant tannin and just about winning. But it’s a cool customer, which delivers some sophistication and a subtle finish. (JR)
The 2018 Quinault L’Enclos was 10% matured in foudres plus 500-liter barrels. It has certainly retained its precocious bouquet of fig-tinged red berry fruit, crushed violets and cassis. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet, quite saturated entry and a core of fleshy red fruit. Missing a little complexity, and I find it just a bit cloying on the finish. So-so.