2023 Berliquet

A brilliant, impeccably made Saint-Emilion, the 2023 Château Berliquet is based on 59% Merlot and 41% Cabernet Franc and aged 16-18 months in 40% new barrels with 15% in amphorae, the balance in neutral oak. I love the sense of class here, with black cherries, leafy tobacco, chocolate, and damp earth on the nose. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's round, lush, and opulent, with nicely integrated spicy oak and outstanding overall balance. Notably, this is the first vintage produced in the estate's new winery, where additional tanks allowed for greater precision in the cellar, and I think it shows. Incredibly classic and impressive stuff, drink bottles over the coming 25+ years. Drink 2026-2051.

The 2023 Berliquet is classy, elegant and polished, just as it was en primeur . Crushed flowers, red cherry fruit, leather, incense, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco are beautifully delineated. The biggest changes at Berliquet since Chanel acquired it in 2017 are the tannin profile and purity of fruit, both of which are exalted in the 2023, the first vintage made in the new cellar. It's a terrific effort from the team led by Technical Director Nicolas Audebert. Tasted three times.

The 2023 Berliquet, replicating its showing from barrel, is initially reticent on the nose. It opens with blackberry, cedar and light marine notes, verging on oyster shell aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a keen line of acidity that cuts through the spicy black fruit. More vigor comes through on the structured second half with a pleasingly persistent, sapid finish. One to watch...