Chateau Berliquet 2015

DECANTER: "There has been a renewed interest in this property over the past few months because it has just been bought by Château Canon, and in 2015 you can clearly see the potential. It displays smoked and grilled edges, and holds the palate firmly in place while it glides the vibrant red fruit along towards a menthol finish. Nicolas Thienpont has managed the property since 2008, although I assume this will end following the sale. Drinking Window 2023 - 2038"

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2015 Berliquet is a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet colored, it needs a little convincing to reveal notions of Morello cherries, wild blueberries, and baked plums, plus hints of powdered cinnamon and clove oil with a touch of tar. The full-bodied palate is taut with muscular black fruits and firm grainy tannins, finishing with a refreshing lift."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2015 Berliquet has an attractive bouquet with the same bilberry and blackberry fruit, a splash of hoisin and violet aromas that surface with aeration. It is backward as you would expect but there is intensity here. The palate is concentrated with rounded blackberry, dark plum and touches of sea salt. This is a stockier Berliquet than the previous vintage, good substance if not the finesse of the finest Saint-Émilions, demonstrating good length on the finish. Give this three or four years in bottle before broaching because it is not as approachable as I expected from barrel."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This has some heft, with dark currant, fig and blackberry confiture flavors liberally inlaid with graphite, singed mesquite and singed iron notes. Shows a grippy feel through the finish, but the fruit keeps pace, with the iron element lingering longest in the end. Best from 2022 through 2032."

WEINWISSER: "75 % Merlot, 25 % Cabernet Franc. Extrem dunkles Purpur mit lila und violetten Reflexen. Herrliches, leicht pfeffrig wirkendes Beerenbouquet, ergänzt durch Kirschen und einen Hauch Grenadine. Im Gaumen kernig, stützende Säure, wirkt etwas pikant, die Anlagen sind - von den Tanninen her - gut, es fehlt aber an Fett und Fleisch. Schlägt sich eher unter seinem Wert."