| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This Saint Emilion property of 9 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 the wine-making team of Chateau Canon. Consequently there is a significant change in the style of the wine into something much more sophisticated and smooth than before. The blend is 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc.
The 2017 Berliquet is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It bursts with notions of fresh blackberries, black and red plums, and redcurrants, plus hints of dried herbs and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, the palate is energetic and refreshing with minerally accents to the black fruits, finishing with a pleasant chewiness.
The 2017 Berliquet was cropped at 30hl/ha and matured in 50% new oak. It offers attractive blackberry, blueberry and light vanillary scents on the nose, a little sleeker and more opulent in style than the 2017 Canon. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chewy tannins and compact black fruit. An abrupt finish just needs to manifest more persistence. I appreciate the mintiness that begins to appear on the aftertaste. 2021 - 2035
Some berries and smoke with stone and tar. Full-bodied, creamy and beautifully crafted. Tight and focused. A little lean, but shows balance and juiciness. Bitter lemon and smoke at the end. A blend of 70% merlot and 30% cabernet franc. Try after 2022.
The chocolate and mint nose leads into an attractive palate, fairly dense if a touch short. It's a well-balanced and enjoyable wine from a new team led by Nicolas Audebert, who took over after the estate was purchased in late July 2017, and with Thomas Duclos consulting. Among other tweaks, they have adjusted the ageing time to reduce the impact of the oak. This is from clay-limestone soils, close to Canon but mostly on slopes, whereas Canon is mostly on the plateau. Currently, every plot is planted with both Cabernet Franc and Merlot, but they will be planning to raise the percentage of Cab Franc slightly. Unaffected by frost in 2017.
Drinking Window 2025 - 2038
Deep crimson. Ripe and red-fruited with an attractive hint of pencil lead. Juicy and with harmony between fruit and texture but not particularly long, tailing off a little on the finish.
Drink 2022-2028
The first vintage made by the Canon team - led by Nicolas Audebert - since Chanel's purchase of the vineyard mid-way through 2017. This already tastes very different from the rather heavy-handed over-extracted Berliquets of recent years.
The nose has sweet fruit the start of the palate the fleshy richness of ripe black cherries. Ripe rounded tannins add to the mid sweetness firmer at the back with fresh fruits but it does open up on the finish depth of flavour. 2025-34
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Berliquet gives up expressive notes of baked plums, blackberry preserves and mulberries with hints of licorice, crushed rocks, chargrilled meat and wild sage. Medium-bodied, the palate has a great core of elegantly played flavors framed by soft, plush tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and minerally. The blend is 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc and it was aged for 18 months in French oak, 50% new. 2021 - 2039
The 2017 Berliquet, which is matured in new oak, has quite a pure black cherry and iodine bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity, quite harmonious if just missing a little complexity towards the finish. This Saint-Émilion is more about the silky texture that I hope will be in situ after bottling. Drink 2021-2030.
Some berry and spice character and a salty undertone. Medium body and a fresh finish. Firm and silky tannins. Shows some drive at the end. This is the first year from the owners of Canon.
Deep purple-black in color, the 2017 Berliquet has a lovely perfume of violets, pencil lead and baking spices over a core of kirsch, wild blueberries and red currant jelly plus a waft of underbrush. Medium-bodied, fine and fresh in the mouth with firm, chewy tannins, it's elegant and perfumed with a long finish.
