Chateau Prieure-Lichine 2017

Medium to deep garnet-purple color, the 2017 Prieure-Lichine is composed of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. It rocks up with expressive blackcurrant cordial, stewed plums and boysenberries scents plus suggestions of unsmoked cigars, cedar chest and cardamom. Medium-bodied, the palate has a solid frame of chewy tannins and bold freshness supporting the muscular black fruits, finishing on a stewed tea note.

Caressing in feel, with a silky structure underneath layers of warm plum, blackberry and black cherry purée flavors. Subtle black tea and alder notes curl around the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2030. 13,750 cases made.

Beguiling nose of concentrated blackcurrants with lovely floral notes. Fresh palate with elegant ripe tannins. Sophisticated and juicy.

A floral and lightly spicy red with redcurrant undertones. Medium-bodied with firm, silky tannins that are polished and poised. Give it time to open. Shows depth and intensity at the end. Try after 2022.

Showing deep color, the wine opens with coffee bean, black cherry, wet earth and floral tones. Soft and silky, round and full-bodied, there is abundant sweet, fresh dark red fruit with a touch of oak and thyme on the finish.

Deep dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening, fine vanilla, a hint of black cherries, light nougat, subtle oak savoriness. Medium body, a touch of red berries, lively tannins that are still somewhat demanding, firm texture on the finish, a versatile food companion.

Medium ruby/plum-hued, the 2017 Château Prieuré-Lichine is a charming, delicious effort loaded with red and black currants, toasted spice, and dried herb-like aromas and flavors, with perhaps a hint of chocolate. Textured, medium-bodied, and balanced, it’s already approachable yet will keep for over a decade. The blend is 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, with the balance Petit Verdot, aged in 50% new oak.

Kunz barrel sample 18: Herbs, restrained bouquet, red berries, green herbs, wood. Firm, slender palate with sandy tannins, bony structure, light aromatics, dry finish.

Herbs, restrained bouquet, red berries, green herbs, wood. Firm, slender palate with sandy tannins, bony structure, light aromatics, dry finish. 16/20 2024 - 2032

Clear spice on the attack, followed by soft berry fruits, finessed floral character, skilful winemaking. Light in structure compared to the previous two years, but there is so much pleasure and balance on display, and it will be great to drink pretty much from now. Smudges of aniseed, fennel and liquorice add depth, freshness and lift on the finish. Frost impacted the first wine for the first time for decades in 2017, which affected viticultural choices for the rest of the year and needed skilful winemaking to tease out the identity of the Margaux appellation. 37 hl/ha yield, 50% new oak. Stephane Derenoncourt consultant.

The Prieure-Lichine 2017 has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. It opens with medicinal notes, leading to wafts of dried herbs and new leather, over a core of cassis and black raspberries. The light to medium-bodied palate is chewy and a little rustic with a savory finish.

2017 confirms the progress of the vintage. The wine is silky, delicate, and endowed with lovely fruit that makes it immediately seductive and appetizing.

Ripe, ample, structured, sappy, energetic wine, with great length and a lovely mouthfeel.

Prieuré-Lichine 2017 was aged in 50% new barrels and 50% one-wine barrels. The nose is very much in the Margaux style, oscillating between freshness and fruit. Attractive notes of mint and black berries. On the palate, the wine is luscious, juicy, and perfectly supported by its tannins. The latter are fine and provide solid backbone. A gourmet, compact wine that is already approachable, even though it has the tannic structure to age over time.

The nose is fruity, racy, offering subtle power and fine grain. It reveals notes of wild blackberry, wild raspberry and, more lightly, blackcurrant, combined with delicate touches of violet and lily, along with very fine hints of small berries and discreet accents of Cubeb pepper/spices. The palate is fruity, balanced, and offers good definition, indulgence, flesh, smoothness, and a subtle tension. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of ripe/juicy red cherry and ripe/juicy wild strawberry, and more lightly blackberry, combined with delicate touches of violet as well as fine hints of tonka bean, racy minerality, nutmeg, and more subtly hints of graphite, tobacco, and mocha. The tannins are elegant and well-handled.

Fruity, pleasant and flavorful wine with a slightly loose structure. Medium body and length.