2001 Chateau Quinault L'Enclos, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

I opened this wine and poured a glass without deciding to decant, but on further inspection of some reviews I decided to decant after all to allow the fruit to make an appearance. Did it? Meh, not really. As a matter of fact, I really wasn't into this wine all that much. Maybe I've been drinking too many fruit-bomb RRV Pinot Noirs and other jammy goodies. Who knows really, but I am kind of disappointed. Maybe I should have paired it with a better meal such as some sauce-laden steak with pomme-frites. I don't know. Well, here it goes anyway.

Chateau Quinault is in the hands of owners Dr. Alain Raynaud and his wife, Francoise, who currently use a fantastic team from Cheval Blanc to create wines of great purity and freshness. Located in the St. Emilion district of Bordeaux, Chateau Quinault definitely stands among some of the best Chateaus in France. The efforts of this winery are also truly remarkable; producing top-notch wines from their 37-acre vineyard situated within the Libourne city limits.

This particular wine is a blend of 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc. In the glass, the wine exhibits radiant color that is not at all dense, but more of a beautiful ruby. In the nose I pick up earth and leather, but it does not jump out and grab me. It is more subtle, elegant, restrained. After swirling in the glass, I am able to pick up some subtle plum, tobacco (almost damp cigar-like) and some sage-like spices.

In the mouth, the wine seems thin, with tea, bitter chocolate and mild dark fruit. Seems dusty, super dry with subtle tannins but good acid. I just feel this wine is more earthy and leathery in the package and I don't know if it is past peak or what, but it just does not do it for me. Oh well.

C'est La Vie!