"One of the best vintages I have tried from Prieuré Lichine - this was excellent during en primeur and even more so now it's in bottle. Restrained elegance and precision are on display, balancing out the oozing rich damson fruit and the well placed licorice edging. Well balanced, the fruit is cleanly cut and held, the ripe black fruits spliced in two. Poised, with good ripeness, a standout for me. 50% new oak barrels. Stephen Derenencourt consults. 96 points" Jane Anson, Decanter.com, 2017About Château Prieuré-Lichine, Margaux

Château Prieuré-Lichine is a Quatrième Grand Cru Classé estate in the commune of Margaux. Founded in the 12th century by monks from Vertheuil Abbey, the vineyards of the prieuré (or “priory”) of Cantenac belonged to the Church until the French Revolution. In 1951, Alexis Lichine took over the estate and his name was added to the estate name two years later. He expanded the vineyards, modernized the cellars and renovated the monks’ former living quarters.

The estate has been owned since 1999 by the Ballande group, a Bordeaux company includes the negociants Ballande & Meneret. Ballande added further parcels of vines and a new cellar. They also brought in consultant viticulturalist Stéphane Derenoncourt.

The 78 hectares are planted to 55 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 40 % Merlot and 5 % Petit Verdot. The gradual expansion the vineyards means that Prieuré-Lichine's are some of the most fragmented of any estate, but this has been turned into a virtue, with a wide variety of terroirs contributing to the wine. The second wine is called Confidences de Prieuré-Lichine.