Château Prieuré-Lichine Margaux 2018 - 4ème Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About wine:

Powerful, with a touch of austerity, sincere and complex. It will certainly improve with age.

About the estate:

With its complex parcel layout spread across different areas of the appellation, this wine is gradually becoming a benchmark for attentive observers. The new vat room allows for parcel-by-parcel vinification, giving each parcel its chance, and the viticultural choices inspired by the estate's consultant, Stéphane Derenoncourt, explain the quality of the latest harvests. The wine has all the finesse and grace one would expect, in an immediately perceptible form, and the prices remain reasonable.

Decanter

About wine:

Power, character, and richness abound with well-controlled notes of blackcurrant and Damascus fruit. This is a well-crafted wine with hints of chocolate, silky tannins, and a very spicy finish. Yield of 35 hl/ha. 45% new oak. 2026-2042

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Founded by the monks of Vertheuil Abbey, the former Saint-Didier de Cantenac priory produced wine that was already renowned during the Ancien Régime. But it owes its fame—and its current name (the wine was then called Prieuré-Cantenac)—to Alexis Lichine. This famous American-Russian owner and merchant, nicknamed the "wine pope" and author of an encyclopedia of wines and spirits from around the world that served as a reference for many years, acquired the estate in 1951 and revived it. Owned by the Bordeaux-based Ballande group since 1999, it has 80 hectares of vines planted in the heart of the Cantenac-Margaux plateau. Étienne Charrier has been in charge of technical management since 2009.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Since 1999, the vineyard has belonged to the Ballande group, based in New Caledonia. Since the new vat room came into operation in 2013, we have seen significant progress. The wines, which sometimes lacked volume and depth compared to the best, have become much denser. This new ambition and the resources that have been provided were necessary. The reasonable prices make it a great deal for wine lovers.

Wine Enthusiast

About wine:

This wine reveals the generous richness of the vintage while retaining its finesse thanks to fine tannins and a crisp blackcurrant acidity. The structure and fruit promise long aging potential. Drink from 2027 onwards. - Roger Voss

Vinous

About wine:

Prieuré-Lichine 2018 is a magnificent, elegant wine. The powerful aromas of Cabernet give it delicious notes that complement the natural brilliance of the vintage. Sumptuous and sensual, with no harshness and exceptional balance, this 2018 reaches new heights. Notes of dried herbs, rose petals, cedar, tobacco, and mint linger on the finely crafted and persistent finish. It is a particularly discreet wine for the year. 2028-2048

James Suckling

About wine:

Aroma of blackberries, white pepper, and hints of baked goods. Full-bodied with tight, chewy tannins, but beautifully polished and composed. Lingering finish. Needs time to soften and come together. Best enjoyed after 2024.

Le Figaro vins

About wine:

The truly original and beautifully fragrant nose of ripe strawberry, blueberry, and violet brings complexity to the wine, which unfolds into a well-defined juice with flawless smoothness.