2022 Château Berliquet, Saint-Emilion
£274 per 6 bottle case in bond
2022 Château Berliquet was released this morning with a reasonable increase in price, up from £229 per 6 in bond last year to £274 per 6 in bond this year, however, this uplift in price is accompanied by a significant uptick in quality and, typos excepted, as William Kelley comments in his note below, Berliquet is "likely to be another of the vintage's more attractive proportions". We believe he meant propositions!
The Chanel Group, who own Châteaux Canon, Rauzan-Ségla and Berliquet had at one point planned, over the long-term, to amalgamate Berliquet with Canon. However, they have decided ulitmately to manage Berliquet separately, as the terroir (part sand, clay and limestone) is unique, and the focus now is on carving Berliquet's own identity.
Please see below for my note as well as those from William Kelley, Jane Anson and Antonio Galloni.
The Chanel Group, who own Châteaux Canon, Rauzan-Ségla and Berliquet had at one point planned, over the long-term, to amalgamate Berliquet with Canon. However, they have decided ulitmately to manage Berliquet separately, as the terroir (part sand, clay and limestone) is unique, and the focus now is on carving Berliquet's own identity.
Please see below for my note as well as those from William Kelley, Jane Anson and Antonio Galloni.
2022 Château Berliquet, Saint-Emilion
£274 per 6 bottle case in bond
Fragrant, with aromas of deep berry and plum, and a slight floral lift. The palate is deeply-laden and expressive, with a layered sense of depth. The ripeness is beautifully judged, nothing heavy or heady, with macerated hedgerow fruit, damson and plum. My scribbled tasting note said ‘What’s not to like?’, as the palate strikes a fine balance, with the fruit retaining remarkable freshness, enlivened by a mineral-infused acidity. The team at Canon has worked wonders at Berliquet in terms of the refinement of the tannins, which reveal much more finesse this vintage. Berliquet always offers consistent value, and this year quality has stepped up without a doubt. Impressive. (SL) Drink 2030-2045.
94-95 points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
The 2022 Berliquet is brilliant, bursting with aromas of plums, wild berries and lilac, followed by a medium to full-bodied, concentrated and vibrant palate that's deep and mineral. It's likely to be another of the vintage's more attractive en primeur proportions. This estate just goes from strength to strength—and that's before its new winery has been constructed! One of the most significant changes has been opting to retain higher canopies, which means that the fruiting zone of rows planted along the slope are now shaded, preserving freshness.
94 points, Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
Dark damson colour, beautiful sense of upliflt and freshness, with mint leaf, sage, wild rosemary, cassis fruits. Slate texture to the wine here, feels carved out and crafted, with edges of austerity that constrict the cassis and raspberry fruit. 44% new oak, 8 amphoras (around 10% of overall), the rest in one year old barrel, 45hl/h yield. Great stuff.
91-93 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
The 2022 Berliquet is super-concentrated, dark and ripe, but also without the forbidding tannins of the past. Succulent plum fruit, mocha, licorice and dried herbs are some of the many notes that grace this gorgeous Saint-Émilion. It will be interesting to see where the 2022 ends up post élevage. Today it is full-bodied and quite opulent. Tasted four times. Drink 2028-2042.
£274 per 6 bottle case in bond
Fragrant, with aromas of deep berry and plum, and a slight floral lift. The palate is deeply-laden and expressive, with a layered sense of depth. The ripeness is beautifully judged, nothing heavy or heady, with macerated hedgerow fruit, damson and plum. My scribbled tasting note said ‘What’s not to like?’, as the palate strikes a fine balance, with the fruit retaining remarkable freshness, enlivened by a mineral-infused acidity. The team at Canon has worked wonders at Berliquet in terms of the refinement of the tannins, which reveal much more finesse this vintage. Berliquet always offers consistent value, and this year quality has stepped up without a doubt. Impressive. (SL) Drink 2030-2045.
94-95 points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
The 2022 Berliquet is brilliant, bursting with aromas of plums, wild berries and lilac, followed by a medium to full-bodied, concentrated and vibrant palate that's deep and mineral. It's likely to be another of the vintage's more attractive en primeur proportions. This estate just goes from strength to strength—and that's before its new winery has been constructed! One of the most significant changes has been opting to retain higher canopies, which means that the fruiting zone of rows planted along the slope are now shaded, preserving freshness.
94 points, Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
Dark damson colour, beautiful sense of upliflt and freshness, with mint leaf, sage, wild rosemary, cassis fruits. Slate texture to the wine here, feels carved out and crafted, with edges of austerity that constrict the cassis and raspberry fruit. 44% new oak, 8 amphoras (around 10% of overall), the rest in one year old barrel, 45hl/h yield. Great stuff.
91-93 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
The 2022 Berliquet is super-concentrated, dark and ripe, but also without the forbidding tannins of the past. Succulent plum fruit, mocha, licorice and dried herbs are some of the many notes that grace this gorgeous Saint-Émilion. It will be interesting to see where the 2022 ends up post élevage. Today it is full-bodied and quite opulent. Tasted four times. Drink 2028-2042.
Please let us know of your interest.
Best wishes,
Simon
