Quinault l'Enclos 2004

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.

Exceptionally deep crimson. Oddly stewed nose. Some more vitality on the palate. Some green notes too though. This tastes almost more New World than St Emilion. Very tight, sandy tannins. Hard work at this stage. It may take on fat? Drink 2011-15

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.

A strong effort from Dr. Alain Raynaud... 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.