Berliquet 2020

A brilliant success for this property in the ascendant, the 2020 Berliquet opens in the glass with aromas of dark berries and cherries mingled with hints of warm spices and violets. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's vibrant and dynamic, with polished tannins, a bright spine and a long, elegantly chalky finish. It represents another step up for Berliquet, which will soon benefit from a new winery. 2025 - 2050

Tasted blind at the Southwold Group tasting. Bright purple colour. Airy, subtle and floral on the nose, with lingering notes of cherry blossom, blanched almond and fresh vanilla bean. The palate has an ethereal texture, silken tannins gently folded into bright, predominantly red fruits. There is a sappy, saline moreish tone throughout, a lick of smoky wood and a streak of fine acidity, but this is all about textural refinement and precise, aromatic fruit. Long and focused on the finish. Most impressive to see what this was when revealed, the refinement at this estate clearly continues.

Blackberry with charcoal and dark earth aromas that follow through to a medium to full body with fruit, iron and moss flavors. It’s structured and well-formed with excellent balance of acidity. Drink after 2027.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Berliquet, a blend of 69% Merlot and 31% Cabernet Franc, needs a fair bit of coaxing to bring out notes of blueberry preserves, black cherry compote, and blackberry pie, followed by hints of chocolate mint and lavender. The generous, full-bodied palate is jam-packed with ripe, seductive black and blue fruit preserves flavors, framed by velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long with a spicy kick. This estate, recently acquired by Chanel, is already starting to show its true potential, and what a beauty!

Nicolas Auderbert and Thomas Duclos, the pair that did such brilliant job at Château Canon, have turned their sights on Berliquet, owned by Canon since 2017. There are slightly cooler soils here, a touch more clay and it gives a subdued edge with clear quality and bright brambled blackberry, rhubarb, pomegranate, blood organge, turmeric spice. Tight and full of energy. 50% new oak, 40hl/h yield, harvest September 14 to 24. 7.5ha.

The 2020 is a blend of 69% Merlot and 31% Cabernet Franc, which will be aged for 16 months in 50% new French oak. The yield this year is 40hl/ha, making 2,500 dozen bottles. Deep ruby colour in the glass. Seductive kirsch and poached plums with a little milk chocolate on the nose. The palate is succulent and rich, with luscious red fruit tamed by chalky tannins. This rounded, juicy and moreish style remains harmonious and fine through to a long a lightly toasty finish.

69% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.
Clean and effortless in style. Delicate summer-fruit notes with a hint of mint. Juicy and fresh with chalky tannins and dry finish. Eminently digeste. (JL)
Drink 2026 – 2035

(69% M, 31% CF; 40hl/ha; 14.5% ABV; 50% new)
A persistent nose of blackberry-ripe fruit; concentrated, vital in acidity, quite firm in tannin; long and ripely tasty, both fine and chewy at once, and with excellent length. You can taste the more clayey terroir here of Berliquet’s “Côte”; there is more matter than in Canon (made by the same team) and less finesse. That said, this is very good. 2028–40+.