2016 Château Prieuré Lichine Margaux

• "Don't Miss It" ~96 Points, Antonio Galloni
• "Superb Margaux" ~James Suckling
• Fourth Growth Grand Cru in Margaux
• Outstanding 98 Point Vintage
• Stephane Derenoncourt Consulting
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About the Wine

The name of this estate alludes to its history as a Benedictine priory. The allure of Prieure Lichine has been on an upward trend since the middle of the last century and is currently producing some of the greatest wines the estate has ever seen. The estate has built a wonderful reputation thanks to the incredible growing conditions of 2016 and produces high-quality wine time after time.

This vintage was outstanding. Vinous Media blessed this year with a 98-point review, stating that "The 2016s are absolutely remarkable wines, with tremendous energy and bright, acid-driven profiles."

In 1951, Alexis Lichine, who was often referred to as “the Pope of Wine”, took over the estate and added his name two years later. Thanks to his patient determination, he was able to add more vineyard plots, modernize the cellars, and renovate the monks’ former living quarters. Château Prieuré-Lichine’s fate was linked to that of the Lichine family for nearly half a century. 

This new approach to managing widely distributed vineyard plots turned this diversity into advantage, enabling Prieuré- Lichine to express the full complexity of its terroir thanks to an experienced and devoted winemaking team. Today the Ballande family, a prominent Bordeaux negociant, owns the property and the winery has been improving annually.

Aging: 18 months in French oak barrels, 50% new.

Tasting Notes

 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Black and red raspberry fruit flavors with hints of cassis and lifted aromatics of dried roses and violets. Pure and pristine in style. Focused and approachable in the balanced finish.

Critical Reviews

The 2016 Prieuré-Lichine is all class. Floral, silky, and nuanced to the core, 2016 is a wine of pure and total seduction. Freshly cut flowers, vibrant red fruit, and creamy tannins all add to the wine's undeniable allure. In 2016, Prieuré-Lichine is all class, not to mention one of the sleepers of the vintage. Don't miss it! Tasted two times. ~96 Points, Antonio Galloni

With vineyards in the southern Margaux village of Cantenac, this estate has produced a deliciously juicy wine. The structure follows a straight line between the tannins and the intense fruit and acidity. The wine should age well, ready to drink from 2024. ~94 Points, Wine Enthusiast 

Deep dark ruby ​​garnet, opaque core, subtle lightening of the edges, attractive sweet cherry bouquet, fine nuances of licorice and cassis, and a hint of precious wood. Juicy, elegant, fine fruit sweetness, well-embedded tannins, pleasant freshness, lingers for a long time, fine touch of mocha in the finish. ~94 Points, Falstaff.

The nose is fruity, racy, well-balanced, on the fruit, and offers power/concentration. It reveals notes of fleshy blackberry, fleshy/ripe wild raspberry, and touches of fleshy/juicy cassis associated with fine touches of spices, Cuben /gray pepper, gravels/ terroir, toasted/ caramelization, violet, a discreet hint of ripe almond as well as a very discreet hint of cocoa and grilled (on the finish). The palate is fruity, juicy, well-balanced, fine, straight, silky, and elegant, and offers a beautiful definition, gourmandize, a beautiful tension, an acidulous frame, precision, suavity, a good finesse of the grain as well as an aerial side. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy blackberry and fleshy/juicy raspberry associated with touches of cassis, small touches of cocoa, cornflower as well as touches of gravels, caramelization, and a discreet hint of chocolate. Tannins are elegant, silky, and well–built. Good length .~94-95 VertdeVin

A very suave, polished Margaux that delivers iodine and dark-stone aromas and a wealth of ripe, plush dark fruit that follows through to the palate in attractive, fleshy and juicy mode. Try from 2022. ~93 Points, James Suckling 

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