2015 Château Prieuré-Lichine
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind. Meat-extract nose. Thick and not that typical Margaux but should satisfy some. A Napa Margaux? A bit demanding on the end. (JR)
Critic scores
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Prieuré Lichine has a bouquet that demands more coaxing from the glass to reveal dusky black fruit, hints of leather and undergrowth. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins and fine acidity, but it feels blocky on the finish at the moment. Tasted blind at the 2015 Bordeaux Ten-Year-On tasting.
Generous aromatics, raspberry puree, a little reticent right now as this is a big shouldered and well constructed wine that needs time to fully open. Edges of chocolate and liqourice alongside the cassis and black cherry fruits, and even in a generous vintage like 2015 there is still balance offered by a touch of mint and eucalyptus. Needs another few years in bottle before the terroir begins to reassert its authority, but this will give exceptional pleasure and is impressive. 50% new oak. Stephane Derenoncourt consultant.
The 2015 Prieuré-Lichine has an opulent, rounded bouquet, quite flashy and plush, that is enjoyable but missing the typicity of the Margaux appellation. The fresh, clean, medium-bodied palate offers supple tannins, fine acidity, and black pepper and clove toward the finish. Well crafted, but it lacks the brightness of its peers at the moment. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.
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.