Wine Advisor
Quinault l'Enclos 2005
View analysis
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Made when the proprietor was Dr. Alain Raynaud, this 2005 is a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec from a vineyard that is a true clos within the town of Libourne. Moderately intense mulberry and blueberry fruit are present in a medium-bodied, delicate and finesse style of dark ruby/purple-colored wine that is fresh and not nearly as powerful and extracted as most 2005s tend to be. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A final blend of 70% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and a rare 6% Malbec has resulted in a 2005 Quinault l’Enclos that rivals what this estate achieved in 2001, 2000, and 1998. This St.-Emilion’s upbringing is similar to that of a top red Burgundy, including a 7-day cold soak, fermentation in small tanks, malolactic in barrel, and aging sur-lie with the well-known oxoline system of rotating barrels on wheeled racks, which allows for a type of batonnage without having to open the bung and expose the wine to oxygen. Cropped at 30 hectoliters per hectare, it exhibits a dark ruby/purple hue along with beautiful aromas of charcoal, spring flowers, blueberries, raspberries, cassis, and a subtle note of wood. The overall style is one of finesse, elegance, and minerality. Medium to full-bodied and impeccably pure with a beautiful texture as well as 14% natural alcohol, this 2005 will be at its apogee between 2012-2025.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The nose is very sweet and dominated by a lot of new oak, though lacking the vivacity and definition of l'Angelus. A lot of oak on the palate, very robust and lacking some freshness and finesse on the finish. Very modern but I am not enamored by this. Lacks soul.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Proprietor Alain Raynaud has produced a beautifully elegant, noble, racy 2005 Quinault l’Enclos that ranks alongside his 1998, 2000, and 2001. A blend of 77% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon (the average age of the vines is 50 years), it was cropped at 32 hectoliters per hectare, and receives the Burgundian treatment of malolactic in barrel, aging on its lees for 6-10 months, and no filtering at bottling. The inky/blue/purple-tinged 2005 reveals a pure nose of charcoal, spring flowers, sweet raspberries, black cherries, and cassis. The wine is gorgeously textured, medium-bodied, and elegant yet intensely flavored with a power and texture that build on the palate. The tannin is sweet, but noticeable, and the finish is long. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The well-known winemaking consultant, Dr. Alain Raynaud, is the proprietor of this estate. The 2005 Quinault l’Enclos is a pure, elegant, stylish wine from a blend of 70% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and an unusual 6% Malbec. This highly-focused wine exhibits a deep ruby/purple hue in addition to a beautiful bouquet of black raspberries, blueberries, camphor, spring flowers, and spice box. With superb concentration, a hint of minerals, and a lovely textured mouthfeel, it should be approachable in 5-6 years, and age easily for two decades or more.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted single blind at Southwold. This is rather closed on the nose. Boysenberry, a touch of mulberry and tar struggling from the glass but it does seems to open up gradually. Medium-bodied palate, harmonious but again, lacking some structure and depth. Fleshy finish – opulent but without the class. Drink now-2015. Tasted January 2009.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Medium ruby-red. Sexy aromas of cherry, minerals, iron and smoked meat. Juicy and sappy for the year, with lovely energy to the concentrated flavors of cherry, minerals, smoke, flowers and earth. Very sophisticated, shapely wine with a long, ripely tannic finish throwing off notes of smoke, minerals and iron.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Medium-deep ruby. Sexy aromas of plum, black raspberry and mocha, along with the iron note I typically find in this wine. Silky on entry, then suave and bright in the middle. Very sophisticated wine with a sneaky penetrating quality and excellent mouth coverage. Finishes with fine, toothcoating tannins and subtle persistence. An excellent vintage for this St. Emilion but by no means a blockbuster.
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.
