This is really structured with chalk, dark-chocolate, berry and walnut character. Full-bodied, tight and focused. Long finish. Serious wine that's very mineral.

The 2014 Berliquet is a bit burly, as it was from barrel, but it possesses good depth and enough structure to support at least midterm aging. Black cherry, blueberry, leather and menthol are nicely pushed forward in this tightly wound, pleasantly rustic Saint-Emilion from estate manager Nicolas Thienpont and winemaker Cyrille Thienpont.

The 2014 Berliquet felt a little muted on the nose compared to others, a wine needing more fruit concentration to come through. I feel this has just closed down after bottling rather than a characteristic of the wine. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a slight metallic note towards the finish that just shades the terroir expression on the finish. Give this 2-3 years to show its mettle, because there is a good Saint Emilion skulking away in there.

This delivers a rather ripe beam of blackberry, acai berry and fig fruit, supported by a graphite edge before turning to smoldering tobacco and alder details through the finish. In the hedonist camp, but has good energy.