This stunning success from Berliquet is unquestionably a sleeper of the vintage. Made from 75% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is looked after by the impressive duo of Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt. The dense blue/purple-colored 2011 offers a big, sweet kiss of blackberries, black cherries, licorice and crushed chalk. It possesses plenty of minerality as well as impressively concentrated fruit and a nicely extracted (but not over-extracted) personality. It will provide plenty of enjoyment for 15 or more years.

Bold, with lots of blueberry and bing cherry aromas and flavors and a creamy feel through the finish. Nicely imbedded acidity holds the flashy fruit together. Well done.-J.M.

The Berliquet has a ripe rounded bouquet with succulent red berry fruit, kirsch and orange zest. There is a lot of maceration here and it seems a little forced. However, the palate is nicely balanced with saturated tannins. It has more weight than the Berliquet of old, with fine sinew towards the finish. Not bad. Tasted April 2012.

Drink 2016-2022 Sweet black cherry jam and vanilla. Smells much richer than it is. A bit skinny on the palate and thus rather tart, and tarry too. Pretty hard work. (JH)