Nestled in the heart of the prestigious Margaux appellation, Château Prieuré-Lichine is a historic estate with deep roots in Bordeaux’s winemaking legacy. Dating back to the 12th century, the château was originally a Benedictine priory, where monks cultivated vines for both ceremonial and everyday use. Its rich heritage spans centuries, culminating in its classification as a
Fourth Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, an honor that marks its prominence among the world’s finest wines.
The Renaissance Under Alexis Lichine
In 1951, the estate entered a new chapter when it was acquired by the renowned wine author and critic Alexis Lichine, often referred to as the "Pope of Wine." Lichine revitalized the vineyards and modernized winemaking practices, cementing the château's reputation as a leading Margaux estate. His vision transformed Château Prieuré-Lichine into a producer known for elegant, balanced, and age-worthy wines.
Vineyards and Terroir
The estate’s 85 hectares of vines benefit from Margaux’s iconic terroir—gravelly soils that provide excellent drainage and promote the deep rooting of vines. This allows the vines to express the nuanced characteristics of Margaux, producing wines that are renowned for their finesse, aromatic complexity, and silky tannins. The vineyard is planted predominantly with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with smaller amounts of Petit Verdot contributing to the structure and depth of the wines.
Winemaking Philosophy
At Château Prieuré-Lichine, tradition meets innovation. The winemaking team employs a meticulous approach, combining traditional methods with modern technology to craft wines that embody the elegance and power of Margaux. The estate’s flagship wine, Château Prieuré-Lichine, is a true expression of the Margaux terroir—refined, complex, and capable of long aging. The estate also produces a second wine, Confidences de Prieuré-Lichine, offering a more approachable style for early drinking.
Tasting Notes
Château Prieuré-Lichine is celebrated for its refined and silky tannins, with aromas of dark fruit, cedar, and violet, typical of Margaux wines. On the palate, expect a rich yet balanced structure, with flavors of blackcurrant, plum, tobacco, and a hint of spice. The wine is known for its aging potential, often reaching its peak after 8-15 years in the cellar, though it can be enjoyed younger with proper decanting.
Why We Love It
Château Prieuré-Lichine represents the epitome of Margaux elegance, blending history, innovation, and a commitment to producing wines of exceptional quality. Whether you're a seasoned Bordeaux collector or new to the world of fine wine, a bottle of Château Prieuré-Lichine is always a safe bet.
Aromas of blueberries and blackberries with hints of sliced mushroom. Full and round with chewy tannins. Give this four or five years to soften. Tight and structured.
The former home of Alexis Lichine is now owned by a Pacific-based French mining company. The low yields of the 2010 (the vineyard was hit by hail) have produced a smooth and rich style of wine, which is weighty while also showing fine acidity on the finish. This has definite aging potential.
Dense purple, with loads of blueberry and blackberry fruit as well as hints of smoke and subtle charred wood, this wine is expansive, round, generous, lush and multi-dimensional. This beauty can be drunk now or cellared for 15-20 years.
Takes a dense, slightly chunky approach, with bittersweet cocoa and espresso up front followed by a core of dark currant, plum sauce and anise. Features charcoal-laden grip on the finish, showing ample stuffing and polished fruit. Should settle in once the modern toast treatment gets soaked up. Best from 2014 through 2024.