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The 2018 Berliquet, a Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Émilion, offers charming appeal without overstatement. It opens with a deep ruby colour and aromas of black cherry, violet, and a hint of graphite. The palate is supple yet bodied—showing ripe plum and cassis alongside gentle baking spices—supported by velvety tannins and a streak of minerality that brings a fresh lift to the finish. While already approachable, a few years of cellaring should bring further polish.
Composed of approximately 78% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Franc, and sitting at 14.5% ABV, the wine spent sixteen months in French oak (half new), lending background spice and texture without dominating the fruit.
Critical response has been positive but measured. Jane Anson and James Suckling highlight finesse and balance, welcoming Berliquet’s improvement in recent vintages. Others, such as Jeb Dunnuck, note that while the wine is pleasing, it may not reach the depth or concentration of top Saint-Émilions, and the oak can be noticeable in its youth. However, most expect these aspects to settle with time.
The score is high, from 93 to 96.
According to Wine Searcher, HK$360–$400 per bottle in Hong Kong, so your HK$360 price is well within range. The 2018 Berliquet is a solid, attractively priced GCC—delivering classic Saint-Émilion character without pretence.
The price range detailed above was generated by AI.
Updated: Jun 9
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You’ll notice ripe cherry, plum, and dried herbs on the nose, with hints of tobacco and cedar. On the palate, there’s dark berry fruit, earth, spice, and a touch of leather. The tannins are firm but smooth, leading to a long, savoury finish. This Brunello is enjoyable now and will become more complex over the next 5 to 10 years. It offers classic Montalcino character at a strong price-to-quality point, appealing to those who appreciate both tradition and youthful freshness. Serve it slightly cool and let it warm up in the glass.
The 2018 vintage has received outstanding critical acclaim, including 96 points from James Suckling, 95 points from Wine Advocate (Robert Parker) and Decanter, and 94 points from both Wine Spectator and Vinous.
— James Suckling: 96/100
— Wine Advocate (Robert Parker): 95/100
— Decanter: 95/100
— Wine Spectator: 94/100
— Vinous: 94/100
These consistently high scores reinforce IL Poggione’s reputation as a benchmark Brunello and highlight the wine’s exceptional quality this vintage.
The balanced acidity and tannins make this wine enjoyable right away, but it also has good ageing potential. Its bouquet is layered with fruit, spice, and gentle oak notes. The long finish really brings out the character of Montalcino’s terroir.
Sometimes, a bottle might have less pronounced fruit or firmer tannins, and rarely, the oak can stand out more than the fruit for a while.
IL Poggione is made entirely from Sangiovese and aged for about 30 to 36 months in large Slavonian oak casks. This traditional method keeps the grape’s character and structure intact, adding gentle spice and elegance while still feeling fresh and refined.
The 2018 vintage in Montalcino was cooler and classic, producing elegant, structured wines with lively acidity. This Brunello should age well for 10 to 15 years, gaining more complex flavors as it matures.
Wine-Searcher lists this wine at around HK$330 to $420 per bottle. At HK$375, your price is competitive and reflects the wine’s strong value and quality among top Brunello producers.
The style is mostly traditional, focusing on the Sangiovese grape and the region’s character rather than strong new oak flavours or heavy extraction. Still, it has a smooth, approachable quality that modern wine drinkers will enjoy. The wine searcher prices are quoted by AI.
In some Brunello tastings, IL Poggione is often compared to classic Brunello producers like Biondi-Santi, Altesino, Lisini, Fuligni, and Casanova di Neri. These wineries are known for their focus on pure Sangiovese, reliable quality, and wines that age well. IL Poggione’s style is traditional, highlighting the region’s character and balance. It stands with Lisini and Biondi-Santi, but is a bit more approachable, similar to Altesino or Fuligni.
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When exploring the character and distinctions among Château Belgrave’s 2011, 2013, and 2014 vintages, one encounters three distinct expressions of Haut-Médoc’s Fifth Growth, shaped by both terroir and season.
All three vintages share a classic Left Bank blend, with Cabernet Sauvignon as the dominant grape, supported by Merlot, Petit Verdot, and a touch of Cabernet Franc—Cabernet this prominent in Haut-Médoc is increasingly rare. The winemaking is consistent: each wine spends 12 to 14 months in French oak (30–40% new), adding subtle spice and structure while letting the fruit shine.
The 2011 Belgrave delivers a medium-bodied wine with firm, classic structure, featuring red and black fruit, earthiness, and a backbone of tannin. Shaped by a warm spring, a cool, rainy summer, and an early harvest, it offers moderate ripeness and freshness. Most critics award it 88–90 points, highlighting finesse and classical style. James Suckling praised its “freshness and juicy, vibrant fruit,” calling it “one of the more charming Médocs of the vintage.” In contrast, Jancis Robinson described it as “a little lean and lacking mid-palate generosity,” cautioning that it may not satisfy those seeking richer wines.
The 2013 vintage reflects the challenges of a difficult, wet, and cool growing season. The wine is lighter, higher in acidity, and softer in tannin, with a lean, red-fruited profile best enjoyed young. Most critics score it between 85 and 87 points, noting modest concentration but fair drinkability. Neal Martin (Vinous) considers it “well-made and approachable, with pure red fruit and early appeal.” On the other hand, Wine Spectator found it “thin and short, lacking depth and persistence,” underscoring the vintage’s limitations.
The 2014 vintage stands apart, rescued by a warm, dry September and Oct
ober following a cool, wet August. This resulted in a riper, more generous wine with harmonious balance, fuller fruit, and well-integrated tannins, giving it greater longevity and approachability than its two predecessors. Critics generally rate the 2014 between 90 and 92 points, citing depth and ageing potential. Decanter praised it as “a real success, with energy, ripe tannins, and impressive balance for the vintage.” Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux), however, felt that “while well made, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the best 2014s, lacking a little complexity and flair,” so it may not stand out among its peers.
Alcohol reflects these vintage differences: both 2011 and 2013 are around 13%, while the riper 2014 reaches about 13.5%.
Your Hong Kong prices—$295 for 2011, $260 for 2013, and $290 for 2014—are well aligned with prevailing Wine-Searcher ranges ($240–$320). With high-quality storage and carefully maintained bottles, these three vintages offer reliability as well as value.
Taken together, these three vintages of Château Belgrave showcase how weather and vintage variation shape Bordeaux’s enduring style: 2011 is firm and classic, 2013 is light and best enjoyed young, and 2014 brings ripeness and balance for a more complete expression.
