An iconic property of the Margaux appellation on the Left Bank of Bordeaux, Château Prieuré-Lichine boasts a prestigious winemaking heritage. In the 12th century, monks founded the Priory of Cantenac, then still part of the Abbey of Vertheuil, which at the time owned the largest wine estates in the Médoc. As early as 1444, the wines of the Prieuré de Cantenac were recognised among the greatest in the Kingdom. Ranked 4th Classified Growth in 1855, Château du Prieuré de Cantenac became Château Prieuré-Lichine following its takeover by the charismatic Alexis Lichine in 1951. This man, nicknamed the "Pope of wine," made Prieuré-Lichine one of the most important references of the Margaux appellation. He also used the château as his holiday resort until his death in 1989. His son Sacha took over the reins of the estate and held them until 1999, when Prieuré-Lichine was sold to the Ballande group.
Today, Château Prieuré-Lichine has entered a new era in its history. The estate is outfitted with brand new infrastructure and cutting-edge technology in the new winery. Out in the vineyards, the team practices sustainable viticulture, while the winemaking is led by Stéphane Derenoncourt.
With its 78 hectares of vines, Château Prieuré-Lichine is at the helm of an extraordinary terroir. Composed mainly of gravel brought in by the Garonne, the Château Prieuré-Lichine terroir is quite representative of the Margaux appellation. The well-preserved terraces of gravel capture the heat of the sun during the day and reflect it back during the night, helping ensure the optimal maturity of the grapes.
Guided by a never-ending quest for excellence, Château Prieuré-Lichine holds true to one main philosophy: to reveal the diversity of the great terroirs of the estate in wines that are elegant, refined and representative of Margaux.
The wines of Château Prieuré-Lichine have recently been lauded as some of the best of their appellation, displaying fantastic density and depth. These wines are guaranteed to please even the choosiest fans of Margaux.
