Wine Advisor
Quinault l'Enclos 2004
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
A very ripe blackberry, blueberry and violet nose. Dense, lacks a bit of definition. The palate is dense, a bit one-dimensional with an austere tannic finish. It would appeal to those who like a turbo-charged wine. But not for me.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2004 Quinault l’Enclos (77% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec) is impeccably clean, pure, and rich. Its dense blue/purple color is accompanied by a beautiful perfume of blueberries, acacia flowers, raspberries, and crushed rocks. Reeking of terroir, it offers elegant, medium-bodied, pure, textured, layered flavors, sweet but high tannin, admirable weight and equilibrium, and a long finish. Cellar it for 3-5 years and enjoy it over the following two decades.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A strong effort from Dr. Alain Raynaud, this vineyard was savaged by hail in May, thus cutting yields, which ultimately turned out to be a blessing in disguise given the humongous crop size that emerged from most vineyards in 2004. Yields were only 30 hectoliters per hectare, and Dr. Raynaud feels this may be the finest wine he has yet made, but I would be reluctant to concede that point. Certainly it is in a league with the brilliant 1998 and 2000. A deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by a precise, elegant bouquet of black raspberries, currants, and white flowers with a striking chalky minerality in the background. Seamless, with sweet tannin, medium body, and impressive purity as well as texture, it should drink well in 2-4 years, and last for 15 or more.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
An elegant, pretty Quinault, the 2004 displays a dense ruby/purple color along with a big, rich nose of licorice, black raspberries, cherries, and spice. This blend of 71% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec possesses an excellent texture, beautiful elegance and complexity, and no hard edges. A seamlessly made, supple-textured, evolved, forward effort, it can be drunk now or cellared for 12-15 years. This is a very strong effort in a challenging vintage.
About the Producer
Chateau Quinault l'Enclos is located in the Saint-Emilion appellation of Bordeaux, France, and dates back to the 17th century. The winery takes its name from a writer named Philipe Quinault. In 1930, the estate of the Château de Montréal was only 8 hectares. Until the 1990s, when Chateau Quinault l'Enclos came under the wing of the famous winemaking family - Raynaud Family, Dr. Alain Raynaud invested heavily in Chateau Quinault, eventually making it one of the most famous châteaux in Saint-Emilion. In 2008, Quinault l'Enclos was taken over by Bernard Arnault and Albert Frere, owners of the LVMH group. Then the winery became part of the LVMH group, along with the famous Chateau Cheval Blanc and Chateau La Tour Figeac, and the estate's vineyard area was expanded. The winemaking team became the Pierre Lurton team of Château Cheval Blanc. Michel Rolland, the famous "flying winemaker", was also hired as a consultant. Now, the vineyard is approximately 20 hectares, planted with 83% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The oldest vines were planted in 1930, and the average age is 45 years. The vineyard was taken over by LVMH in 2008 and was converted to organic farming, and in 2012 it was successfully certified as such. When Dr. Alain Raynaud was at the helm of Château Grand Cru, the wines produced were straightforward, sweet and ripe, round and soft, in the typical style of Saint-Emilion wines, suitable for drinking in their youth, with an optimum age of 10 to 12 years. Today's winemaking team, Pierre Lurton's team, produces wines that are clearer and fresher on the palate, with pleasantly soft tannins and well-integrated oak flavours.
