CHATEAU BERLIQUET Grand Cru, Saint-Emilion 2020 Bottle

Description

Château Berliquet 2020 is an exceptional wine from a historic estate in St-Émilion, receiving high praise including 95-96 points from James Suckling and 94-96 points from The Wine Advocate. This vintage is crafted from a blend of 69% Merlot and 31% Cabernet Franc, presenting a deep purple-black colour with enticing aromas of stewed black cherries, warm plums, and hints of chocolate mint and violets. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied with a tightly wound structure, featuring layers of ripe black fruit and earthy undertones, framed by finely grained tannins and refreshing acidity. Vinous awarded it 94 points, commending its precision and harmony, making it ideal for enjoying from 2026 to 2046.

*****

Ch. Berliquet comprises a square, 10-hectare handkerchief of St Emilion vineyard, surrounded on three sides by Ch. Canon’s vines. Its long history dates back to the 1740s, making it one of the appellation’s oldest vineyards. It is a Grand Cru Classé.

Until as recently as the 1970s, Ch. Berliquet's wine was made by the local co-operative. The quality was good but rather unexciting. Since 1978, the wine has been vinified and matured at the château and has improved beyond recognition.

In 2017, Ch. Berliquet was bought by Chanel, who brought in winemaker Nicolas Audebert to further refine the estate’s offering. Nicolas brought with him a wealth of experience, most recently from a decade in Argentina where he oversaw the Cheval des Andes project (a collaboration between Ch. Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de los Andes). Nicolas brought in mapping and terroir specialists Géocarta and Kees Van Leeuwen to create a soil survey of the vineyard. Based on this deep knowledge of the clay-limestone plateau, and clay and sand slopes, Nicolas has formulated phased plans to variously grub up, replant and co-plant areas of the vineyard.

“We’ll replant a third of the vineyard with more Cabernet Franc than Merlot,” explains Nicolas. “We really consider that the terroir can bring Cabernet Franc to the highest expression of fruit, elegance and precision.”

In the winery, vinification takes place in stainless-steel tanks. The wines are aged for 16 months in oak, with 50% new barrels. The cellars have been carefully renovated in recent years.

Ch. Berliquet has made a strong commitment to working sustainability. In addition to introducing environmentally responsible practices in the winery, they have recently planted hedges, grasses, walnut trees and introduced green corridors to increase biodiversity.

JAMES SUCKLING 95-96 points
Very soft and polished with beautiful tannins that are poised and beautiful. It’s medium-to full-bodied and gorgeously proportioned. Ready for even more polishing.

THE WINE ADVOCATE (94 - 96) POINTS
Drink Date: 2026 - 2046
"The 2020 Berliquet is composed of 69% Merlot and 31% Cabernet Franc, weighing in at 14.5% alcohol. It is aging in French oak barrels, 50% new. Deep purple-black colored, it trots casually out of the glass with effortlessly flamboyant scents of stewed black cherries, warm plums and baked blackberries, plus hints of chocolate mint, violets and licorice with a touch of fertile loam. The medium to full-bodied palate is very tightly wound with layers of ripe black fruits and earthy accents, framed by finely grained tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long and fragrant." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 20th May 2021

VINOUS 94 points
Drinking window: 2028 - 2055
The 2020 Berliquet put in a phenomenal showing in this blind peer-group tasting that suggests I underestimated it out of barrel. It has a more savory bouquet than its peers, perhaps due to more Cabernet Franc, with touches of mint, black pepper and dried herbs infusing the red fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, well balanced and harmonious, leading to a precise, complex and lingering finish. It seems to gain precision in the glass and tempts you back for more. Outstanding. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. - Neal Martin. Tasting date: January 2024

JANCIS ROBINSON 17.5 points
Tasted blind. Deep crimson. Sweet chocolatey nose and plenty of fresh dark fruits and just a hint of leafiness adding to the freshness. Powerful, tannic, fresh and elegant in its embryonic state. (JH)

DECANTER 94 points
Tasted by: Panos Kakaviatos
(at Strasbourg, 26 Apr 2025)
Part of Limestone soul: Mapping the St-Emilion plateau
Drinking Window: 2028 - 2055
A wine of subtle elegance reflecting both the richness of the vintage and the spread of the vines equally across the limestone plateau, the slopes and the lower slopes. Notes of wild briar, sweet pine, cherry pit, plum and orange rind freshness with a saline lift on the finish. Chalky tannins reflect structure for ageing. Time in the glass accentuates a sense of precision and subtle opulence. Impressive price/quality ratio.

WINE ENTHUSIAST 93 points
A big wine with rich tannins and a dense structure, the wine is solid, the clay soil showing both in the wine's ripeness and its power. It is a fine wine, concentrated and with layers of black plum flavors. Drink this wine from 2026. — Roger Voss