CHÂTEAU PRIEURÉ LICHINE
2017 4ème Cru Classé Margaux
The 2017 Prieuré-Lichine has a light, slightly earthy bouquet that is endowed with less fruit than some of its peers. There is just a touch of greenness here, though not to a degree that bothers me. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition, a crisp line of acidity and a pretty, quite harmonious finish. It actually finishes with more panache than I expected though it does require more length. Drinking range: 2021 - 2035 Rating: 88-90 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2018)
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Mid crimson. Sweet, punchy black fruit with a hint of oak char but the effect is more savoury than sweet. Moreish, juicy and fresh. Finely structured, moderate length, all in balance, the finish dry but not drying. Drinking range: 2022 - 2030 Rating: 16.5 Julia Harding MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2018)
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Prieure-Lichine is scented of crushed blackberries, black cherries and roses with touches of cloves, cinnamon and dusty earth. The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of flesh, textured by plush tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long. Rating: 88 - 90+ Lisa Perrotti-Brown, RobertParker.com (Apr 2018)
This is the definition of a wine to buy in an off-vintage. It has the signature of the last few years, but in an early-drinking package. It's a little oaky and smoky for sure, but handles it well and delivers punch and personality without overstating the case. Ripe damson fruits help to deliver impact, even if the fruit is generally a touch below the exuberance of the last two years. Planted in the vineyard to 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Drinking range: 2025 - 2038 Rating: 94 Jane Anson, Decanter (Apr 2018)
The 2017 Château Prieuré-Lichine is a firm, borderline charmless effort that has mid-weight aromas and flavors, good concentration, and little in the way of baby fat. It might flesh out over its élevage, but then again it might not. Rating: 85-88 Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com (Apr 2018)
This is really fresh and layered with currant, berry and floral aromas and flavors. Medium-to full-bodied, integrated and polished. Beautiful. Very focused. More cabernet in the blend than normal. Possibly at the same level as 2016. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2018)
Bright and fresh, with a mix of raspberry, pomegranate and plum notes guided by light floral and spice notes. Shows a brambly edge on the finish. On the lighter side but offers good energy. Rating: 89-92 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2018)
A nose of dark and smoky oak to this barrel sample, lightly toasted, with notes of redcurrant and sage. The palate is fresh, cool, loose and rather light in terms of its presence, with a little chalky midpalate grip. There is a dense substance here, with a little velvety suggestion to the tannins, firmly wrapped around the fruit, with plenty of grip in the finish. The flavour profile is all redcurrant and pomegranate, rather delicately placed atop the structure. A pretty wine with what feels like a light and fairly typical substance for the vintage. Rating: 89-91 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2018)
Château Prieuré Lichine
Margaux Quatrième cru 1855 As the name suggests, the early history of Prieuré-Lichine starts with the Benedictine monks of the Prieuré de Cantenac who assembled, by the 18th Century, quite a reputation for their wine. The Revolution put an end to ecclesiastical ownership, La Prieuré was seized and sold off with much of the vineyard becoming parts of other estates including Château Palmer. A with many Médoc estates, the first half of the 20th Century was a period of decline. By 1951 Château Prieuré-Cantenac was reduced to 11ha of rather sorry vines. Salvation came that year with the estate's purchase by wine writer Alexis Lichine. He renovated the chais and the château, and gradually increased vineyard holdings by buying spare vineyard land from other Margaux estates. Château Prieuré-Lichine is to the east of Cantenac. There are, now, around 70ha of vineyard, somewhat dispersed around the appellation, with 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot with a small balance of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The Grand Vin spends 16 months inn wood (55% new).