Château Berliquet

Château Berliquet is one of the oldest estates in Saint-Émilion, with its history documented on the Belleyme maps of 1768. The property was notable for selling wine under its own name as early as 1784, a period when most Right Bank wines were sold under generic regional labels. Count de Carles acquired the estate in 1918, and it remained with his descendants, the de Lesquen family, for nearly a century. During much of the 20th century, the estate sent its grapes to a local cooperative, a practice that ended in 1978 when Patrick de Lesquen began bottling the wine at the château. In October 2017, the Wertheimer family, owners of the Chanel fashion house, purchased the estate to add to a portfolio that includes neighboring Château Canon and Château Rauzan-Ségla.

The vineyard covers 10 hectares located on the Saint-Émilion limestone plateau and its western slopes. The terroir is divided into three distinct geological sections consisting of the limestone plateau, the clay-heavy middle slope, and the foot of the hill. These soils are primarily planted with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec also present. Managing director Nicolas Audebert oversees the viticulture and winemaking, implementing a transition to organic farming that achieved certification with the 2024 vintage. A new winery facility was completed in 2023, featuring additional tanks to allow for precise, plot-by-plot fermentation. The wines typically age for 16 months in a combination of French oak barrels and clay amphorae.

Château Berliquet is classified as a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé, a status it has held since 1986. The estate is recognized for producing wines that emphasize the mineral tension and structural precision characteristic of the limestone plateau. While some nearby properties prioritize high-extraction styles, Château Berliquet focuses on finesse and the earthy qualities of its clay-limestone soil. The signature wine is the eponymous grand vin, which usually blends a high proportion of Merlot with Cabernet Franc to create a profile of dark fruit and saline notes. Under Chanel's ownership, the property has moved toward an integrated management style with Château Canon while maintaining its separate identity and independent cellars.