| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This Saint Emilion property of 7 hectares is well situated on the plateau of Saint Emilion. Previously the wines were made by Nicolas Thienpont from Pavie Macquin and Beausejour Duffau. However in July 2017 the property was purchased by the owners of Chanel and it is now under the control of Nicolas Audebert of Château Canon. Consequently there is a significant change in the style of the wine into something much more sophisticated and smooth than before. The vineyard is planted with 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc. There are some new plantings of Malbec.
The 2024 is 60% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Franc with the addition of some Malbec for the first time. It will be aged in 37% new oak, some second year oak and 22% in amphoras. The yield was a healthy 43 hl/ha. Alcohol 13.5%. This was the first vintage certified organic.
Deep garnet-purple colored. Erupts from the glass with energetic notes of kirsch, red currant jelly, and strawberry preserves, opening out to reveal underlying nuances of violets, pencil shavings, and wild thyme. The medium-bodied palate delivers great intensity and tension with vibrant red berry and savory layers supported by fine-grained tannins, finishing long and perfumed. Seriously good!
60% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec. This is the first vintage to use the new Malbec plantings and they are slowly increasing the % of Cabernet Franc until it gets up to about 50%. pH 3.37. Aging 16-18 months - 37% new oak and 22% amphorae.
Unwinding in the glass with brooding aromas of cassis, raspberries, rose petals, violets and pencil shavings, the 2024 Berliquet is medium to full-bodied, polished and muscular, with broad shoulders and a dense, chalky core. It's a blend of 60% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Franc and (a new addition) 1% Malbec. This estate continues to stand out next to is stablemate, Canon, for its more powerful style and darker fruit profile.
The 2024 Berliquet was picked from 20 September to 3 October at 43 hl/ha and aged in 37% new oak, 22% amphoras. This has a much more oyster-tinged, black olive-scented bouquet that distinguishes it from the 2024 Canon. It's quite intense in style. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, although I find them not as chiseled as the Canon's. It has good weight and substance on the finish in the context of the season, but this will require two or three years in bottle and should then drink well for fifteen to twenty more. Drink: 2029-2048
It is easy to see the work that has gone into improving the wine at this estate in a vintage that would have been a struggle less than a decade ago. Mid ruby colour in the glass with bright strawberry and red plum fruit, this is very slick on both the nose and the palate. The fruit is perfumed and charming, matched but not dominated by wood spice. There is a light hint of cocoa and the red fruit has a creamy sheet. This is supple and moreish, providing an immediacy that will make this very drinkable in its youth.
A fresh and vivid wine with sliced lemons, lemongrass, pine needles and some red cherries. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and a tangy finish. Attractive energy to this. Nice depth. 60% merlot, 39% cabernet franc and 1% mablec.
Anis, fennel straight on the nose, this has a gourmet, earthy quality with beautiful freshness, showing blueberry, raspberry and red cherry fruits, mandarin peel, bitter aniseed and chalk edge on the finish. 42hl/ha yield, organic certified. 3.37 pH. Yield 43 hl/ha. 37% new oak, 22% amphoras. Harvest 20 September to 3 October. 100% of production (after selection) is here, nothing gone to bulk. First year of Malbec added into the blend here (just 1%).
The 2024 Berliquet is delicate and understated, in the style of the year. Floral aromatics accent a core of blue-toned fruit, new leather, licorice and dark spice. The 2024 is classy, elegant and polished from start to finish. The most important signature of the 2024 is a palpable refinement in the tannin profile, even in a challenging vintage. This is an intriguing and highly promising wine from a château that is still finding its way. Tasted four times. 2026 - 2036
