2009 Prieure-Lichine (Margaux)
- Producer:
- Chateau Prieure Lichine
- Origin:
-
Margaux,
Medoc,
Bordeaux,
FRANCE,
- Wine colour:
- red
- Wine style:
- dry
- Closure style:
- cork
- Classification:
- Medoc fourth growths 4th 4eme
- Maturity:
- young
Uncorked:
Originally a Benedictine foundation but owned by the legendary Alexis Lichine for nearly forty years and by his son for another ten, Prieure-Lichine has always had a good reputation for its wine. For those many years, it produced wines that were typical of the Margaux appellation, without necessarily being the most exciting. The Ballande group, a family with many interests in the wine business, who bought the estate in 1999, are looking to change this. Alexis Lichine built up the size of the estate considerably before his death and those seventy hectares are somewhat scattered across the commune, so there isn`t a homogeneous terroir to call its own. But Lichine bought wisely and certainly was not interested in investing in land that wouldn`t increase the overall quality of the estate. So the philosophy of the new owners is to make the most of the gravelly soils that most of the vines grow on, and go for quality by reducing yields, employing rigorous sorting, and increasing the concentration and ripeness.
Robert Parker:
Beautiful floral-infused black fruits jump from the glass of this opaque ruby/purple-colored wine. Possibly richer, denser, and even more complete than the brilliant 2005 (although it is still too early to say that definitively), this is certainly a more opulent, succulent style of wine than even the 2005, which had surprising flesh for a wine from that vintage. The Right Bank consultant Stephane Derenoncourt has performed some magic here, as recent vintages attest, and the wines are often fairly priced as well. This full-bodied Prieure-Lichine should drink well for 20-25 years. (Tasted two times.) 91-93 points
Neal Martin:
Tasted at a negociant and UGC. Tight on the nose at first. earthy black fruits. a touch of briary, fruitcake, cedar and damp moss. Good delineation and quite "classic" in style. The palate is medium-bodied with good concentration, the tannins just a little coarse at the moment but that will calm down through its elevage. Good delineation, quite foursquare and not charming
Scores
91-93 points, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, April 2010
89-91 points, Neal Martin, erobertparker.com, April 2010
87-88 points, Jean-Marc Quarin, quarin.com, April 2010
17 points, Steven Spurrier, Decanter, April 2010