2009 2020 chateau quinalt L'enclos

Not yet made by Cheval Blanc. Fresh nose and quite dark, black fruits. Tough finish. Fades a little fast. Sour finish. But there is some luscious fruit here too. (JR)

The style here has changed completely since it was purchased from Dr. Alain Raynaud by the owners of Cheval Blanc. The 2009, a blend of 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc from this enclosed vineyard situated within the town of Libourne, displays loads of blueberry and raspberry fruit along with crushed rock and a host of floral notes. Deliciously fruity, medium-bodied, and very elegant, with a nice succulence, this is not a big wine by any means, but it is very stylish, pure, velvety textured and precocious. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.

Very ripe indeed. Super-ripe, borderline brett, but very smooth and engaging. Just a bit too plump and strongly liquorice for me, but a great achievement by the lights of old-fashioned, under-ripe St-Émilion so I may be being a bit curmudgeonly to object. Very dry finish. (JR)