Château Berliquet

Château Berliquet stands among the oldest estates in Saint-Émilion, with origins traceable to the 1740s. The property appeared on the famous Belleyme topographical maps of 1768, confirming its long-established presence in the region. Despite this historic pedigree, the estate sold its grapes to a cooperative for decades, only transitioning to estate bottling in 1978. Patrick de Lesquen then set about restoring Berliquet's reputation, successfully securing Grand Cru Classé status in the 1986 reclassification, a distinction no other château received that year.

• Origins date to circa 1740s, documented on Belleyme maps by 1768
• Grapes sold to cooperative until estate bottling began in 1978
• Sole château promoted to Grand Cru Classé in the 1986 Saint-Émilion classification
• Nicolas Thienpont and Stéphane Derenoncourt took over management in 2008

Chanel acquired Château Berliquet in July 2017, adding it to a Right Bank portfolio anchored by the prestigious Château Canon next door. The purchase reflected Chanel's strategy of assembling contiguous, high-quality terroir in Saint-Émilion. Under Chanel ownership, Nicolas Audebert serves as technical director and winemaker, bringing continuity and precision to a property that had already undergone significant quality improvement during the Thienpont-Derenoncourt era.

• Acquired by Chanel in July 2017
• Sits adjacent to Château Canon, also owned by Chanel
• Nicolas Audebert serves as winemaker and technical director
• Continues the quality trajectory established under Thienpont and Derenoncourt

Château Berliquet occupies a total of 24 hectares, with approximately 10 hectares under vine. The vineyard sits on the western slope of the Saint-Émilion plateau with a west and southwest exposition, catching afternoon sun to support full ripening. Soils shift from limestone plateau with clay streaks at higher elevations to clay-sand slopes further down, delivering both structure and aromatic complexity to the wines. The Atlantic-influenced oceanic climate, moderated by proximity to the Dordogne River, tempers heat and preserves the natural acidity that defines Berliquet's style.

• Western slope with west/southwest exposition
• Limestone plateau with clay streaks above; clay-sand soils on lower slopes
• Atlantic oceanic climate moderated by the Dordogne River
• Approximately 10 hectares planted from a 24-hectare total estate

Berliquet produces a red wine built on 70% Merlot, with Cabernet Franc contributing 25% and a small 5% of Cabernet Sauvignon completing the blend. The style leans toward elegance and finesse rather than power, with mineral character derived from the limestone plateau soils. Typical aromatic profiles run through black fruits, peony, and violet, with a mineral-driven finish that sets Berliquet apart from fleshier Saint-Émilion styles. The Cabernet Franc component adds lift and floral definition, a signature of the finest plateau terroirs.