2001 Berliquet

This lush, attractive, up-front St.-Emilion reveals a dark plum/ruby color in addition to a sweet perfume of forest floor, underbrush, herb, black currant, and oak-like aromas. Ripe and medium-bodied, with well-integrated tannin, low acidity, and a nicely-textured mid-section, this beauty can be drunk now and over the next 7-8 years.

Medium ruby. Enticing aromas of coffee, flowers, tobacco, minerals and smoky oak, along with a complicating leafy nuance. Suave, complex and perfumed, with subtle but very ripe notes of violet and stone. Began with rather tough tannins but showed more supporting richness as it opened in the glass. Ultimately quite subtle and aromatic. This was aged in 80% new oak; the percentage of new barrels was cut to 60% for subsequent vintages.

Rather animal and dark chocolate nose. Rich and modern, but not overextracted or overdone. Clean and fresh. Not long. A bit light and simple. Very, very lively and easy. (JR)