Berliquet 2017 (750ML)

94 WA / 93 WS / 92 JS / 90 VM / 90 JD / 90 DE / 15.5 JR

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. - Lisa Perotti Brown, Wine Advocate

Alluring, featuring steeped plum, boysenberry and red currant fruit that melds slowly with singed mesquite, bramble, sanguine and rooibos tea notes. Offers a long and detailed finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2034. - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

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. - James Suckling

The 2017 Berliquet has really come together nicely over the course of its élevage. From bottle, the 2017 shows terrific freshness and nuance to match its mid-weight personality. Sweet red cherry fruit, tobacco, cedar, spice and licorice are pushed forward in a sensual, open-knit Saint-Émilion that will drink well right out of the gate. More than anything else, the 2017 shows a lot of potential for the future. It is the first wine vinified by Nicolas Audebert and his team, but most of the important farming decisions had already been made by the time Chanel acquired the estate, so the 2017 is really a wine of transition. Tasted three times. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Leafy herbs, damp earth, spring flowers, and beautiful dark fruits emerge from the 2017 Chateau Berliquet, which is 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc coming from a terroir just down the hill from Canon. Medium-bodied, with solid mid-palate concentration, present tannins, and a good mix of both richness and freshness, it's going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for 8-10 years or more. - Jeb Dunnuck

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. - Jane Anson, Decanter

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. - Jancis Robinson