Quinault L'Enclos, Chateau
Summary
Château Quinault L'Enclos is a 19-hectare Saint-Émilion Grand Cru estate located near Libourne and the Pomerol border, producing Merlot-dominant Bordeaux blends from gravelly soils with sand and clay elements. Under the precise management of Pierre Lurton and LVMH-Frère ownership since 2008, the estate balances traditional Saint-Émilion winemaking with contemporary techniques, including hand harvesting, temperature-controlled fermentation, and carefully calibrated oak aging.
Heritage & Leadership
Château Quinault L'Enclos stands as a distinguished Saint-Émilion Grand Cru property with a transformative recent history. The estate gained particular prominence under the ownership of Dr. Alain Raynaud and his wife Françoise, who acquired the property in 1997. Dr. Raynaud, a respected figure in Bordeaux and former president of the Union des Grands Crus, implemented significant improvements to the estate's vineyards and winemaking facilities during his tenure.
The most pivotal moment in the château's recent history came in 2008 when it was acquired by a partnership between LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) and Belgian businessman Albert Frère, the same ownership team behind the prestigious Château Cheval Blanc. This acquisition brought Quinault L'Enclos under the management of Pierre Lurton, who simultaneously directs Château Cheval Blanc and Château d'Yquem. Under this leadership, the estate underwent comprehensive renovations to both vineyards and cellars, elevating its winemaking capabilities and quality potential.
Vineyards & Wines
Château Quinault L'Enclos encompasses approximately 19 hectares of vineyards situated in a unique location for Saint-Émilion. The estate lies on the western edge of the appellation near the Dordogne River and the town of Libourne, adjacent to the Pomerol appellation. This positioning provides distinctive growing conditions compared to many Saint-Émilion properties.
The vineyard's soil composition features gravelly terrain with sand and clay elements, contributing to good drainage and heat retention. The vineyard is predominantly planted with Merlot, complemented by Cabernet Franc and smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon. This planting reflects both the traditional Saint-Émilion approach and the estate's specific terroir characteristics.
Following the 2008 acquisition, the vineyard underwent significant restructuring under Pierre Lurton's direction. This included adjustments to planting density, canopy management practices, and harvest protocols to maximize the expression of the estate's terroir. The property produces a single wine, Château Quinault L'Enclos, which typically displays the approachable character of its Merlot-dominant blend while maintaining structural elements from its Cabernet components.
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking philosophy at Château Quinault L'Enclos has evolved significantly since the LVMH-Frère acquisition, adopting many of the exacting standards applied at Château Cheval Blanc. The estate practices careful vineyard management with emphasis on achieving optimal ripeness through precise canopy management and yield control.
Harvest is conducted by hand with rigorous sorting to ensure only the highest quality fruit enters production. Vinification takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, allowing for precise fermentation management. The estate employs gentle extraction techniques to preserve fruit character while developing appropriate structure and aging potential.
The wine undergoes maturation in oak barrels, with the percentage of new oak and aging duration calibrated to complement each vintage's characteristics without overwhelming the wine's intrinsic qualities. Under Pierre Lurton's guidance, the winemaking team has focused on producing wines with greater precision and refinement, emphasizing purity of fruit expression and vineyard character rather than excessive extraction or oak influence.
This methodical approach to both viticulture and winemaking has positioned Château Quinault L'Enclos as a property that combines Saint-Émilion's traditional winemaking heritage with contemporary precision, resulting in wines that faithfully express their distinctive terroir.