Chateau Quinault L' Enclos, St Emilion 99 & 98: Dream Team Creates Cult Right Bank Star
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Vines inside the walled vineyard surrounding Chateau Quinault L' Enclos
Chateau Quinault L'Enclos 1999. Rated: 92 -95 . "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. Robert Parker
Quinault L’Enclos St Emilion 1998. Rated 93 -96
"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. april 2000" Robert Parker
In the late 1990s Château Quinault l'Enclos became one of the rising star estates in St-Emilion. It is owned by Dr Alain Raynaud and his wife Françoise with Michel Rolland and Denis Dubourdieu acting as consultants. That is a power house of talent. Both Rolland and Dubourdieu are associated with some of the top estates in Bordeaux. Quinault l'Enclos's new cuverie and chais are located in the heart of Libourne with the 18-hectare vineyard. The average age of the vines is high (60-70 years), matured in 100% new oak barrels for 18 months and is bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Dr Alain Raynault's family has been in the wine business for several geerations. He left the industry to pursue a career in medicine and returned in 1998 to craft some of the most sought after small production wines in Bordeaux, including La Fleur De Gay and La Croix De Gay in Pomerol.
Yes, Quinault l'Enclos immediately became one of the Right Bank superstars that drives the traditionalist on the Left Bank crazy. In their mind you are not supposed to be able to do this - create world class wine from a new plot of land that has not already been established as prime ground (and owned by them). But Chateau Quinault l’Enclos came out of nowhere into top ratings and justifiably became a Parker darling in 1998 and 1999. Of course "out of nowhere" is a relative term. It takes a lot of talent and money to make a great wine – especially if you try to do it overnight. The Raynauds also found a long-neglected plot with some very old vines, plus they recognized the potential of the micro climat that the wall enclosed vineyard represented.
And of course unlike the Left Bank where they start at 15,000 cases per Chateau the volume for a new Right Bank Estate is miniscule, you could fit a half dozen Quinault L’Enclos into a Left Bank, First Growth vineyard area.
Quinault is situated right in the heart of Libourne. Its vineyard is surrounded by walls and is on hot, gravelly soil. The two combine to allow this vineyeard to benefit from a temperature superior to those of the surrounding vineyards which means the grapes ripen faster. 15 hectares are planted with 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec. The vines are very old with an average of 60+ years old. Cynthia Hurley
The Details
Chateau Quinault L' Enclos St Emilion 1999 6 bottles $425, 12 bottle wooden case $799 3 cases available
Chateau Quinault L' Enclos St Emilion 1998 6 bottles $575, 12 bottle wooden case $1089 only 2 cases available
Mixed cases if available at the case vs half case rate. $944
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