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Prieuré Lichine 2005

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Margaux
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Prieuré-Lichine

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Tasting Notes

The finest Prieure-Lichine I have ever tasted, the sensational 2005 has unquestionably benefitted from the improvements made at this property as well as the consultation work of Stephane Derenoncourt. Its dense purple color is accompanied by a glorious perfume of forest floor, blackberries, incense, and cassis. Opulent, with sweet tannin for the vintage, excellent purity, and a savory, broad, expansive mouthfeel that lingers on the palate, it possesses the delicacy of a terrific Margaux as well as enough concentration and power to give it an extra dimension. This wine should be drinkable in 4-5 years, and last for 25 or more. Bravo!

92
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (176), April 2008
92
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, February 2008

Tasted blind. Deep crimson with an evolved rim. Bloody nose with some lift. Sweet start. Alluring. Modern Margaux, but not too exaggerated. Only slightly hot finish.
Drink 2017-2030

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, March 2017

Bright ruby-red. Cassis, bitter chocolate, nutty oak and a whiff of sweet butter on the nose. Fat, sweet and fairly full-bodied, with mocha and smoke notes and a suggestion of lees (consultant Stephane Derenoncourt does a lot of work with the lees and minimal racking here). At once fruity and solid, finishing with ripe, granular tannins.

90
Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, June 2008

Black-red, full of rich, robust fruit, but with a raisiny over-ripeness that spoils the balance.

15
Steven Spurrier, Decanter.com, April 2006

Came 71st out of 184 wines

16-
-, Southwold Bordeaux Tasting, January 2009
Read more tasting notes...

Significant improvements are noticeable at this Margaux property now that Stephane Derenoncourt is the winemaking consultant. The 2005, perhaps the finest effort from this estate since the mid-sixties, boasts a deep ruby/purple color along with a sweet nose of cola, black cherries, cedar, and forest floor. Opulent with ripe tannin, a precocious mouthfeel (an anomaly for this vintage), and wonderful purity and lusciousness, it should be consumed during its first 15 years of life.

90/92
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (170), April 2007

Even considering some of the great vintages produced under the late Alexis Lichine, this estate has never made a wine as impressive as their 2005. Consultant Stephane Derenoncourt is obviously realizing this vineyard’s full potential. The deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by an open-knit, exotic bouquet of spice, incense, flowers, and sweet black cherries and blackberries. Rich and opulent, with ripe tannin, a savory, voluminous mouthfeel, and wonderful definition as well as elegance, this gorgeous wine is a tour de force for Prieure-Lichine. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.

91/94
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (164), April 2006

Blackberry and coffee aromas follow through to a full-bodied palate, with velvety tannins and a medium finish. Showing a lot of wood now, but serious fruit.

89/91
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, April 2006

Blackish. Not much nose but refreshing enough - then slightly skinny but good sappy savour - just very slightly meagre towards the end

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2009

Dark purple. Not especially fragrant. Very ripe. Right up to the limits of ripeness in terms of tannins and therefore soft texture though no hint of overripeness - perhaps slightly too much Merlot in the blend? This should be a very seductive wine. A very, very slight lack of freshness but lovely Margaux suppleness and cleanliness. Restraint here. Well done! Very lively. Drink 2014-22

17+
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2006
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.