TN: 1998 Château Berliquet

1998 Château Berliquet - this St Emilion grand cru was a wine I hadn't sampled in some years and I wanted to check on it to see how it was progressing. Good colour and structure, perhaps a tad reticent at first in the nose but it opened up nicely with airing, good fruit in the middle and a bright finish. I think it is still on the way up.

While digging this out of the cellar I came across a small stash of 1990 Chauvin which I intend to try very soon - it may well be sliding down the other side by now. (I think we need a smilie with crossed fingers for wines we hope will show better than we fear they might).

Never had producer, but '98 is such a stellar RB vintage.
I thought the 90 Chauvin was quite mature 15 years ago (and I'm a noted necrophiliac!), but if you temper your expectations there's only upside!

Opened a Berliquet last night - surprisingly pleasant at the start but did fade out more quickly than expected as it oxidized. Decent.

[David M. Bueker]

Minor wines perform in minor keys.