Ch. Prieure Lichine Margaux 2017

Château Prieuré-Lichine is an estate in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux, ranked as a Fourth Growth in the official Bordeaux Classification of 1855. It is regarded as one of Margaux’s most consistent producers and is known for its elegance and suppleness, derived in part from the relatively high proportion of Merlot in the blend.

The estate is located in Cantenac (on an official, administrative, level Cantenac is now combined with Margaux), near to the châteaux of Kirwan and Boyd-Cantenac. There are 70 hectares (173 acres) of vineyards in numerous parcels within the Margaux appellation, of which around 40 hectares (100 acres) contribute to the grand vin.

Vineyard plantings are 50 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 45 percent Merlot, and 5 percent Petit Verdot.

The second wine, launched in 1972 as Château de Clairefont, is now sold as Confidences de Prieuré-Lichine and is made from younger vines. Le Clocher du Prieuré is a Merlot-based Haut-Médoc from vineyards adjacent to those supplying the grand vin.

The portfolio is completed by Le Blanc du Château Prieuré-Lichine, a Sauvignon Blanc – Semillon blend from a 1.5 hectare (3.7 acre) plot in Arsac, to the south of Margaux.

Red wines are fermented in a mix of stainless steel and concrete vats of differing sizes, with long, gentle extraction. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel, and the wine is then aged for 16 months in barriques, 60 percent of which are new. The second wine sees 14 months in second- and third-fill barrels.

TASTE:
The nose is fruity, racy and offers a fine power and finesse of the grain. It reveals notes of wild blackberry, wild raspberry and small notes of blackcurrant associated with fine touches of violet, lily as well as very fine hints of small berries and discreet hints of Cuben pepper/spices. The mouth is fruity, well-balanced and offers a good definition, gourmandize, fat, suavity and a fine tension. On the mouth this wine expresses notes of ripe/juicy red cherry, ripe/juicy wild strawberry and small notes of blackberry associated with fine touches of violet as well as fine hints of tonka bean, racy minerality, nutmeg and small notes of graphite, tobacco and mocha. Tannins are elegant and well-built.