Chateau Berliquet 2023

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 59% Merlot and 41% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Berliquet has a pH of 3.53 and it is ageing in 10% amphorae and 90% oak barriques, of which 34% are new. It has a deep garnet-purple color and it hops from the glass with fragrant notes of wild blueberries, plum preserves, and kirsch, followed by hints of lilacs, fragrant soil, and cardamom. The medium-bodied palate is bright and energetic, with intense red and black berry layers and super-silky tannins, finishing with wonderful length and tension."

JAMES SUCKLING: "A plump and juicy wine with redcurrants and plums, as well as orange peel. Full and layered with round, juicy tannins and a flavorful finish. Generous fruit in this vintage."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2023 Berliquet is the first vintage produced in the estate's new winery, equipped with double the number of vats, permitting proper separation of blocks. That's especially important, as Berliquet is a more diverse terroir than Canon, and it can now be interpreted with much more precision. Offering up aromas of cherries, black raspberries, licorice and violets, it's medium to full-bodied, pillowy and layered, with a fleshy core of concentrated fruit, refined, chalky tannins and lively acids."

VINUM: "Expressiv, offenherzig, florale Noten, Laub, Kirsche, zitrische Aromen; weich im Auftakt, packt dann zu, markante, pudrige Gerbstoffe, viel rote Frucht, knackig, saftig, frisch. Noch immer fliegt dieser Wein bei vielen etwas unter dem Radar, zu Unrecht, denn das Niveau ist hoch."

DECANTER: "Some damson and plum fruit on the nose, dark scents with blueberry. High toned and zingy, the fruit is forward and alive on the palate, sharp and high toned, really fun and lifted. A nice, open and alive expression centred around the perky summer berry fruit with edges of wet stones, graphite and pencil lead. A bit of waxy crayon in there too. It’s certainly finessed, maybe not as openly charming as Berliquet can be, this has more of a youthful, high acidity style. Tart but well controlled, a really lively glass of wine, so much energy and really does make you want another sip. 3.53pH. First vintage produced in the new winery with more vats for plot-by-plot vinification. Ageing 16-18 months ageing, 34% new barrels and 10 amphoras. A yield of 45hl/ha."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "With a single swirl, the wine is floral, with raspberries, black cherries, plums, cigar wrapper and spice. The wine is medium-bodied, elegant, energetic, and spicy, with layers of sweet, and pure, red berries with lift, and energy that you feel on the mineral-accented backend. This is the first vintage produced in the irnew cellar, which expanded from 9 tanks to 24 vats, allowing for parcel by parcel vinification. You can taste and feel the difference here. The wine blends 59% Merlot, with 41% Cabernet Franc. 14% ABV. Drink from 2026-2048."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Tasted multiple times, the 2023 Château Berliquet is a smoking 2023 with tons of character. Ripe red and black fruits, spice box, truffly earth, and some graphite notes all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a supple, layered, elegant mouthfeel, integrated acidity, and ripe tannins. It's clearly outstanding, if not quite a bit more."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Frische rote Herzkirschen, blumiger Touch, etwas Nugat und Vanille, einladendes Bukett. saftig, elegant, feine Tannine, gute Frische, ein Wein mit Charme und Länge, gutes Entwicklungspotenzial, ein delikater Speisenbegleiter."

WEINWISSER: "Ungeheuer filigranes rotbeeriges Bouquet, frischer Johannisbeernektar, Palisander, rote Johannisbeeren-Drops. Am vibrierenden Gaumen mit tänzerischer Rasse, engmaschigem Tanningerüst und straffem Körper. Im konzentrierten Finale Kirsche, heller Tabak und dunkle Mineralik."