Chateau Berliquet 2018

JAMES SUCKLING: "Blackberry, plum, blueberry and some stone and crushed cement on the nose. Full body with firm, chewy and ultra fine tannins that will soften nicely. I like the lightly smoked nuts and chocolate. Needs time to come around. Try after 2025."

WEINWISSER: "Purpur mit opaker Mitte und zartem rubinrotem Rand. Delikates Bouquet mit frischgepflückten roten Kirschen, dahinter Heidekraut, Burley Tabak und Schokopastillen. Am mittleren Gaumen mit cremiger Textur, stützendem Tanningerüst, fein mehliger Extraktsüße und perfekt durchtrainiertem Körper. Im aromatischen Finale kleine schwarze Beeren, Malzbonbon und edle Adstringenz. Der Aufwärtstrend der neuen Équipe hält an, erreicht daher zu Recht die bessere Wertung!"

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Zart nach schwarzen Beeren und Biskuit, Anklänge von Heidelbeerkonfit, Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, feine Edelholznuancen und Lavendel sind unterlegt. Komplex, kraftvoll und saftig, reife schwarze Kirschen, runde und reife Tannine, zarte Cabernet-Franc-Würze im Abgang, gute Länge, ein kraftvoller Speisenbegleiter."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Smoke, espresso, licorice, flowers, red pit fruit and crushed rocks pop up easily. The purity of the fruit, silky textures, lift and length allow this beauty to stand out. The wine has volume, depth, complexity and a velvety finish. The wine blends 78% Merlot with 22% Cabernet Franc."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2018 Berliquet is composed of 78% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Franc and has 14.5% alcohol. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slowly unfurls in the glass to reveal a classic nose of ripe black plums, wild blueberries and pencil shavings with hints of unsmoked cigars, tilled soil and red roses. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock-full of blue and black fruit preserves, supported by plush tannins and impressive freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. Since the Chanel takeover and under Nicolas Audebert’s direction, the development of this site and the wine are truly impressive. I suspect a lot of selection has gone into making this 2018, and the results reveal a top-tier Saint-Émilion in the making."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Under the same winemaking team as Château Canon, this wine shows richness, with swathes of ripe black-fruited Merlot and a licorice character. Bold, ripe flavors are warm and opulent, mitigated by fresher black-currant acidity at the end. Drink from 2026."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This is delightful, with a fine chalky thread running through the middle of gently crushed plum and black cherry fruit flavors while sweet tobacco and bay accents hang in the background. Sneaky long. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2032."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Coming from the team at Canon and a blend of 78% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Château Berliquet sports a dense purple hue as well as a classic Saint-Emilion, mineral-driven bouquet of red and black cherries, chocolate, graphite, roasted herbs, and chalky, rocky nuances. A big, rich, dense 2018, it has chewy tannins, good mid-palate depth, and outstanding length."

DECANTER: "Dark fruit is the signature of this wine and cru. There’s medium intensity and a bright, digestible nature, more so than in the past. The oak is well integrated. It’s still a work in progress as the new ownership (2017) and team from Château Canon ring the changes. Drinking Window 2023 - 2033"