2021 Prieure Lichine
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind. Reasonably intense on the nose. Then remarkably gentle fruit on the palate, which almost distracts from the considerable fruit underneath. A success! (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Tom Parker MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The healthy ruby/plum-hued 2021 Château Prieuré-Lichine checks in as 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot. It has solid depth and intensity in its red and black fruits as well notes of smoke tobacco, earth, and chocolate. As with most 2021s, it's not massive, but this has good mid-palate density, a ripe, rounded mouthfeel, and velvety tannins. It's already delicious but should evolve for 10-12 years and, I suspect, have a gradual decline thereafter.
The 2021 Prieuré-Lichine has a cohesive and commendable bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit with a touch of cedar and graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with a fresh entry and sapid red fruit, nicely structured if missing some length on the finish. Give this three or four years in bottle.
The 2021 Prieuré-Lichine is a very classy, understated Margaux. The purity of the fruit is quite striking. Succulent red/purplish fruit, rose petal, cinnamon, mint and blood orange are beautifully laced together. Silky tannins wrap it all together in style. Pretty floral top notes grace the finish. This is a fine showing.
About the producer
After 50 years under the direction of the Lichine family, this leading Margaux estate entered a new chapter in 1999 when négociant Ballande took the reins, continuing the property’s previous upward trajectory.