Wine Advisor
Prieure Lichine 1986
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The thirty-fifth vintage of Alexis Lichine's beloved chateau should ultimately turn out to be one of the best wines he produced. In fact, the fragrance and elegance may, in 5 to 6 years, entitle it to an even better rating. With the exception of the 1989, it is the most concentrated Prieure made in the eighties, and one would have to go back to the lovely 1978 or 1971 to find a Prieure with such class and grace. Medium to dark ruby in color, with a very seductive, moderately intense bouquet of plummy fruit and sweet, toasty oak, this surprisingly supple, yet still structured wine has good length and aging potential. Anticipated maturity: Now-2005. Last tasted, 11/90.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A vintage that celebrated the thirty-fifth harvest for the late Alexis Lichine, this wine has turned out very impressively. The wine still has a dark garnet color with only a bit of lightening at the edge. The wine exhibits notes of mineral, smoked herbs, and sweet red and black currant fruits in addition to a hint of licorice. The wine is medium-bodied, very concentrated for a Prieure-Lichine, with surprising muscle and tannic power. The wine is just reaching its plateau of maturity, where it should last for at least 5-10 years. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010. Last tasted, 3/01.
About the Producer
Château Prieuré-Lichine is an estate in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux, ranked as a Fourth Growth in the official Bordeaux Classification of 1855. It is regarded as one of Margaux's most consistent producers and is known for its elegance and suppleness, derived in part from the relatively high proportion of Merlot in the blend. The estate is located in Cantenac (on an official, administrative, level Cantenac is now combined with Margaux), near to the châteaux of Kirwan and Boyd-Cantenac. There are 70 hectares (173 acres) of vineyards in numerous parcels within the Margaux appellation, of which around 40 hectares (100 acres) contribute to the grand vin. Vineyard plantings are 50 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 45 percent Merlot, and 5 percent Petit Verdot. The second wine, launched in 1972 as Château de Clairefont, is now sold as Confidences de Prieuré-Lichine and is made from younger vines. Le Clocher du Prieuré is a Merlot-based Haut-Médoc from vineyards adjacent to those supplying the grand vin. The portfolio is completed by Le Blanc du Château Prieuré-Lichine, a Sauvignon Blanc – Semillon blend from a 1.5 hectare (3.7 acre) plot in Arsac, to the south of Margaux. Red wines are fermented in a mix of stainless steel and concrete vats of differing sizes, with long, gentle extraction. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel, and the wine is then aged for 16 months in barriques, 60 percent of which are new. The second wine sees 14 months in second- and third-fill barrels. The estate was founded as the Prieuré (Priory) de Cantenac in the 10th Century, and for many years was a stopping point for pilgrims on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. While vines were certainly planted from the 12th Century, the conversion of the property to a full-scale wine estate took place in the 1700s. Its current name refers to noted winemaker Alexis Lichine, who owned the estate from 1951 until his death in 1989. The estate was acquired by the Ballande group (which includes the Ballande & Méneret négociant firm) in 1999.
1959(1)1979(1)1984(1)
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