Wine Advisor
Prieure Lichine 2000
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2000 exhibits a dense ruby/purple color along with a full, rich style with abundant fruit, glycerin, extract, and silky tannin. Made in Prieure-Lichine's elegant, finesse-filled style, it will be at its best between 2005-2012.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Given the recent improvements at this chateau, the 2000 should have been better. A muted, leathery nose that lacks vigor. The problem is that it seems coarse, a bit austere on the palate, with a sharp finish. A decent wine, but not one that fulfilled my expectations. Drink from 2008. Tasted November 2004.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The finest offering from this estate in three decades, this medium-bodied, elegant, dense ruby/purple-colored 2000 exhibits copious amounts of black fruits intermixed with mineral, licorice, spice box, dried herb, and floral characteristics. Sweet and rich, with no hard edges, lush tannin, low acidity, and a moderately long finish, it is not a huge wine built for the long haul, but should be at its prime between 2004-2016.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Undeniably the finest Prieure-Lichine in 30-40 years, this textured, rich, medium to full-bodied 2000 boasts a dark ruby/purple color in addition to a knock-out nose of black cherries, cassis, tobacco leaf, cocoa, and toasty oak in the background. The wine is sweet on the attack, full-bodied, and well-textured, with oodles of fruit and glycerin. This is sexy stuff that can be drunk early, but will age gracefully for 15-16 years. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2026. Bravo!
Reviewed by: James Suckling
This is very dense and rich now with sweet tobacco, dried berry and mahogany character. Full body with velvety tannins and a juicy finish. A long life ahead of it. Improving with age.
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.
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