Some very ripe dark-plum aromas with a wealth of sweet spices and earthy notes. The palate has an impressively rich, suave and smooth core of black fruit with a powerful palate that delivers concentrated and intense structure. This is superb Margaux. Try from 2022.
Tasted blind. Cheesy/mineral nose with masses of ripe fruit that (almost) completely eclipses the tannin. Lots of vigour. Lightish but good.
Drink 2025-2042
Firm and tight on the nose the palate has a mix of fresh black fruits. There is a hint of mid sweetness with bilberry freshness at the back and the finish is lacking in depth and concentration.
There is one major fault here and it is the oak which is far too spicy and dry. The fruit is lacking in intensity in the first
place and then the oak compounds the issue. Rather too hard and hollow
The 2015 Prieure-Lichine felt a little stubborn on the nose and the fruit was difficult to eke out. It did not quite display the flow of its peers but it may be a case of bottle shock? The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, solid black fruit infused with graphite and plenty of tobacco, while the finish just lacks a little flair. I would have just liked to see more excitement here. Anticipated maturity: 2020 - 2032.
The 2015 Prieuré-Lichine has a tightly wound bouquet, crisp and a little leaner than some of its Margaux compadres. It just feels contained at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with gruff tannin on the entry. There is respectable depth here, but it feels linear and rather predictable towards the blackberry and cedar finish. I would like to see more complexity and personality come through by the time of bottling. It feels a bit bolshie at the moment. Drink 2019-2032.
This is really exceptional this year. Full body, very velvety tannins, wet earth, mushroom and currant character. Very stoney. Very long and flavor. Greatest wine in the history of the estate.
Purplish crimson. Intense savoury perfume. Not that much sweetness on the palate; some inkines on the end. Dry finish. Far from the most charming but a decent effort. Chewy and solid. Doesn’t seem to have been that much effort at tannin management?
Drink 2025-2038
A Stéphane Derenoncourt wine. Bright crimson. Particularly refreshing. Well balanced and lively. Very juicy and energetic. Great balance. Lovely persistence.
