2018 Bordeaux Tasting

Right Bank vs. Left Bank

Two Wines Under $50 that truly Overdeliver!

2018 Berliquet (Saint Emilion)

#94 Wine Spectator Top 100 2021

$49.49 (750ml) In Stock – Buy Now

94 JS / 93 WA / 93 DE / 93 WE

2018 Siran (Margaux)

#1 Wine Enthusiast Top 100 2021

$44.89 (750ml) In Stock – Buy Now

95 WE / 94 JS / 93 DE / 93 WS / 93 WA / 93 VM / 93 JA

The other day we sent out an offer on the 2018 Siran, which was Wine Enthusiast's #1 wine in 2021. And it got me thinking we should definitely taste that wine! And then I thought there must be a right bank wine in the same price range that we can compare and contrast with it. We settled on the 2018 Berliquet, which we hadn't tasted since en primeur barrel tastings. Our mistake!

Both of these wines were outstanding right away, but also restrained at first and needing air. It only took 15-30 minutes and they had transformed! The aromas really opened up nicely on both the wines. I guess it all comes down to if you favor right bank or left bank, and amongst the group of us it was equally divided. The Siran is 45% Cabernet, 44% Merlot and 11% Petit Verdot, the PV I said was like having the bass pumped up a little on a great song, really gave it a foundation and depth. It’s very well balanced and really just starting to express itself. A really great Margaux that really overdelivers.

The Berliquet is 78% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Franc, (owned by the Chanel Fashion empire), and shares winemaking talent with Chateau Canon (which is next door) and Chateau Rauzan-Segla. It is so elegant and full of dusty cocoa and dark fruit notes. I personally love the right bank, so I secretly was taken by this Saint-Emilion bottle. But as in fashion, it’s all a matter of taste. I’d happily take keep some of each in my cellar and not be disappointed by either one!

Both these lovely wines are in stock now and drinking wonderfully, yet will continue to develop complexity for years to come.

2018 Berliquet (Saint Emilion)

$49.49 (750ml) In Stock – Buy Now

94 JS / 93 WA / 93 DE / 93 WE / 92 WS / 91+ JD

#94 Wine Spectator Top 100 2021

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 Advocate

The 2018 Berliquet represents a major stylistic shift under the guidance of Nicolas Audebert and the technical team at Canon. Plump and juicy, the 2018 offers an explosion of fruit that gives it a distinctly exuberant personality. A joyous, radiant wine, Berliquet expresses the natural radiance of the vintage in a forward, juicy style that offers tons of near and medium-term appeal. The wine's fruit and overall density are both impressive, to say the least. This is the first vintage made by the Nicolas Audebert and the technical team at Canon following Chanel's acquisition of the estate in 2017. The blend is 78% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Franc. Tasted four times.-Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

2018 Siran

$44.89 (750ml) In Stock – Buy Now

95 WE / 94 JS / 93 DE / 93 WS / 93 WA / 93 VM / 93 JA

#1 Wine Enthusiast Top 100 2021

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Siran wafts out of the glass with very pretty scents of red roses, cinnamon stick, chocolate-covered cherries and fragrant earth, giving way to a core of warm cassis and plum preserves, plus a touch of camphor. The medium to full-bodied palate is absolutely laden with rich, juicy black fruits, supported by velvety tannins and plenty freshness, finishing long and perfumed. This very classy, absolutely delicious Margaux tastes great now, but it will reward 3-4 years of cellaring and has the stuffing to continue thereafter for 20+ years. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate

The 2018 Siran is impressive, to say the least. Inky, dark and seductive, the 2018 is gorgeous right out of the bottle. Blue/purplish fruit, mocha, spice, chocolate and new French oak all race across the palate. The high percentage of Merlot is felt in the wine's juiciness and palate-weight, while a kick of brightness energizes the finish. In a word: terrific. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Also Available from Berliquet: