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Chateau Quinault L"Enclos St Emilion (now owned by Chevel Blanc)
Every Sunday at 7:30 am I'm going deep
into my wine cellar to pull out the last of
some very great bottles. I promise rare wines
for the cellar- builder in very limited
quantities, gems of astonishing quality
carrying highly pedigreed labels that will
tempt the most temperate among us.
So, don't hit the snooze! These wines will be
gone, gone, gone, quickly.
Quick note: All of these wines have been in my temperature controlled warehouse sense their release. This is important and very rare for these older wines
Chateau Quinault L' Enclos St Emilion
4 Classic Bordeaux Vintages 1998, 1999, 2000 & 2005
This revitalized vineyard owned by Dr. Alain Raynaud is on the western side of St Emilion. Since taking it over this small domaine has become a Parker and consumer darling producing outstanding wines vintage after vintage. The style is modern in the best way. Full flavored but elegant due to its barrel fermentation with rich soft tannins. It exhibits a "saturated blue/purple color, and a compelling bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, cassis, minerals, and beautifully integrated subtle oak. " The winemaking and bottling uses neither fining nor filtration to preserve freshness and concentration.
The estate has just been sold to Bernard Arnault and Albert Freres, co-owners of Chateau Cheval Blanc, d' Yquem which says something about the extraordinary quality of the wines produced over the past 10 years.
1998 CHATEAU QUINAULT L"ENCLOS St Emilion RATED 94-96 6 bottles $540, 12 case $999 ($83) 18 bottles available
"A fabulous effort, the 1998 tastes even better after nine months in cask. Aromas of blueberry/raspberry ice cream are followed by a wine with spectacular concentration, a full-bodied palate, and superb purity, all allied to rare gracefulness and symmetry. An extraordinary, distinctive expression of St.-Emilion, this compelling effort will be bottled without filtration. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2020.." WA Robert Parker
1999 CHATEAU QUINAULT L' ENCLOS St Emilion RATED 94-96 6 bottles $540, 12 case $999 ($83) 2 cases available
"This small, walled vineyard within Libourne's city limits is owned by Dr. Alain Raynaud and his wife, Francoise. Quinault l'Enclos is quickly emerging as one St.-Emilion's superstars. Made from low yields of 38 hectoliters per hectare, this exquisite opaque purple-colored wine exhibits an atypical personality for a 1999.
It offers gorgeously rich, concentrated notes of blueberries, blackberries, prunes, minerals, and toasty oak. This medium to full-bodied 1999 brilliantly marries power and concentration with complexity and finesse. A thrilling sweet mid-palate accompanies the wine's fragrant personality. Moreover, it is rich, persistent, and intense. The 1999 represents a greater achievement given the difficulties imposed by the vintage conditions. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2016.." WA Robert Parker
2000 CHATEAU QUINAULT L' ENCLOS St Emilion RATED 94 6 bottles $425, 12 case $899 ($74.99) 1 case (12 bottles) available
Only the fourth vintage for proprietors Francoise and Alain Raynaud, this wine comes from an old vineyard (the vines are among the oldest in St.-Emilion) within the city of Libourne. A cutting edge vinification with cold maceration and aging sur lie, stirring of lees, and an obvious respect for the terroir and the goal of capturing the essence of a vineyard have all been lofty goals of the Raynauds. The powerful, multi-layered 2000 should rival 1998 as the finest Quinault produced. It boasts an opaque purple color as well as a gorgeous concoction of crushed blackberries, blueberries, and black currants intermixed with violets, licorice, and subtle smoky oak.
It cuts a broad swath across the palate with an expansive chewiness in addition to terrific concentration, purity, and overall equilibrium. In spite of that, it is remarkably light on its feet. It is hard to find fault with this wine, making the cascade of local criticism of Raynaud all the more difficult to comprehend. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2018.WA Robert Parker
2005 CHATEAU QUINAULT L' ENCLOS St Emilion RATED 92-95 6 bottles $375, 12 case $720 ($60) 2 cases available
"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. "WA Robert Parker
Pick your vintage or build an instant vertical collection of this beautifully (and consistently) produced cult St Emilion chateauCynthia Hurley
To order just hit reply and let me
know your requests. Reservations will be
honored in the
order received - but case requests preemept
bottle
requests. All orders are subject to
confirmation.
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