CHÂTEAU BERLIQUET

61 Merlot, 39 Cabernet Franc | 44% new oak and 4 amphoras | 13.5% alc | 30 hl/ha | 3.41 pH There is more volume of fruit here than expected, but it is rather crunched and ruffled, and the tannins fall onto the palate in a heap. The fruit flavours are certainly enticing, and the oak is not over the top, but the palate is my leading cause of concern, and it needs to iron out and gather some silkiness soon. The limestone element is currently sticking out, and while it will need to hang onto this part because it is the energy pack, it needs to give the fruit from the plateau section a chance to mellow and evolve. Until all three sections, limestone, sand, and plateau, are all in harmony, you should not open a bottle. Time will tell, and I am an optimist, so I will back this wine with a decent score and a pair of crossed fingers. Rating: 17.5+ Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (Jun 2022)

An attractive bright purple colour with violet rim, and warming fruit aromatics, touches of cloves. This is impressive, with a lovely sense of lift and freshness, and beautifully placed raspberry, blackberry and redcurrant fruits. A little bulkier than its sibling estate Canon, slightly more angular tannins in this vintage, but still with the juicy fingerprint of limestone. First year of organic conversion, with certification expected 2024. 44% new oak, plus four amphora. 30hl/h yield, 3.41ph. Clay-limestone plateau, next to Canon but with slightly cooler, more powerful soils. Tasted twice. Drinking range: 2026 - 2040 Rating: 93 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2022)

The 2021 Berliquet was picked September 23 to October 5 at 30hL/ha, and matured in 44% new oak for a planned 16 months. Limpid purple in color. The nose is surprisingly concentrated given the growing season, offering crème de cassis and violet petal aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannins that frame the black cherry and boysenberry fruit. Not a complex Berliquet, yet it possesses admirable substance and ripeness on the finish. One to watch. Drinking range: 2029 - 2050 Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2022)

The 2021 Berliquet is the best wine the new team led by Technical Director Nicolas Audebert has made since taking over the property a few years ago. The purity of the fruit is striking. Red cherry, plum, lavender, rose petal and spice lend nuance throughout. Despite the obviously challenging growing season, the Berliquet team turned out a very pretty wine. Impressive. Tasted three times. Drinking range: 2029 - 2036 Rating: 91-93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2022)

A notable success in this vintage, the 2021 La Gaffelière offers up aromas of sweet cherries and berries mingled with notions of licorice, loamy soil and spices. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and enveloping, it's supple and charming, with a fleshy core of fruit, lively acids and ripe, powdery tannins, concluding with impressive persistence. Tasted four times, twice at the château. Rating: 92-93 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (May 2022)