Château Prieuré-Lichine 2020
• Domaine: Château Prieure-Lichine
• Appellation: Margaux
• Classification: Fourth Growth, 4ème Grand Cru Classé
• Origin: Left Bank, Bordeaux, France
Château Prieure-Lichine is an estate that exemplifies classic Margaux terroir. The wines have a certain finesse, generosity, suppleness, and charm. What makes Château Prieure-Lichine a unique property is not just the quality of the grand vin, however. The simple fact of the matter is Château Prieure-Lichine was a groundbreaking estate that turned Bordeaux from a relatively sleepy, winemaking collective into a tourist destination. This was largely because of the legendary figure in the world of Bordeaux wine, the Russian American wine critic nicknamed the “Pope of Wine,” Alexis Lichine. It would be impossible to talk about the history of this property without mentioning his name. In many ways, Château Prieure-Lichine is an important estate to know – not just for the sake and quality of its wines -- but because it is a property that radically changed the way things were done in Bordeaux.
The history behind Château Prieure-Lichine is a long one, as the property was initially a priory for Benedictine Monks. The Monks lived at the estate and produced wines for dinners and a variety of religious services. The wines were of such great quality that they were lauded by Pope Clement. It was ranked in 1745 by the Bordeaux Intendance Classification as a Third Growth prior to being seized and split up during the French Revolution. Almost a hundred years later at the 1855 Classification, the estate was declared by the négociants a Fourth Growth property. Château Prieure-Lichine fell into disrepair until the 1950s, dwindling in size to a diminutive 11 hectares. The rumor is it was purchased by Alexis Lichine for a minuscule sum of 8,000 British pounds. The property was renamed Château Prieure-Lichine and that’s where the history of the estate gets very interesting.
Alexis Lichine, ever the visionary, wanted to make Château Prieure-Lichine a destination, yet when he purchased the property Bordeaux wasn’t exactly a place where tourists went. He purchased a large sign that said the estate was open for tastings and visitors could purchase wine there. The sign was placed along the D2 Route de Médoc, much to the chagrin of the neighboring Bordeaux estates who considered Alexis’ approach “too commercial,” for their tastes. With all that in mind, the naysayers began to get on board when they started seeing more and more wine lovers purchasing the grand vin of Château Prieure-Lichine. By the 1970s, Château Prieure-Lichine was able to expand to 58 hectares of vines. There are actually plantings of vines from Prieure-Lichine in every commune of Margaux.
Eventually, Alexis Lichine passed away in 1989 and was buried on property because of his undying love for the estate. Château Prieure-Lichine was managed by his son, Sacha who eventually sold it for close to 20,000,000 British Pounds to the powerful négociant, the Ballande Group. As the years pass, the team has implemented a series of strategies to improve the wines at Château Prieure-Lichine, and it’s clear they are succeeding. For wine connoisseurs who love properties with interesting and complex histories, Château Prieure-Lichine is definitely an estate worth knowing.
Tasting Notes
"The ruby/purple-hued 2020 Château Prieure-Lichine offers a medium to full-bodied, plush, layered style that carries beautiful red and blue fruits, notes of sandalwood and flowery incense, outstanding overall balance, ripe tannins, and a great finish." Jeb Dunnuck, Bordeaux 2020: En Primeur Part 1 (5/23/2021) Rating: 91-93
"Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Prieure-Lichine offers up notes of fresh redcurrants, blackcurrant pastilles, boysenberries and dried Provence herbs, plus wafts of tobacco leaf and pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers a great intensity of pure black and red fruit flavors, framed by grainy tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long with a refreshing herbal lift." Lisa Perotti-Brown, May 2021: Week 3, The Wine Advocate, Rating 91-93 Drink: 2024-2040
"The 2020 Prieuré-Lichine opens with very pretty floral and spice overtones. Pliant, silky and nuanced, the 2020 is all charm. The purity of the red/purplish berry fruit is compelling. Readers will find an understated, classy Margaux full of character. I can't wait to taste this from bottle. A bit clenched today, but that should not be an issue with time. The Prieuré-Lichine finishes with notable freshness and savory intensity." Antonio Galloni, Vinous (June, 2021) Rating: 91-94
"Plenty of juicy dripping autumnal fruit, cassis and blueberry with a crack of black pepper and a good lick of saline freshness on the finish that makes you want to take another sip. One of the clear successes, intense and concentrated with balanced tannins and acidity, if some bitter almond overtones. A yield of 32hl/ha. 40% new oak. Harvested right through to October 1st.Tasted twice." Jane Anson, Best Margaux 2020 Wines Tasted En Primeur (04/30/2021) Rating: 93
Stock Status | In Stock |
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Appellation | Margaux |
Vintage | 2020 |
Brand | Chateau Prieure-Lichine |
Shipping Weight | 3.000000 |