Château Prieuré-Lichine 2020

Supple and generous, with grippy tannins, a slate-like saltiness, fine but present and mouth-coating. It feels a little constricted, edged with youthful spice, a touch tight and unyielding. There’s juiciness and underlying acidity, and the fruit is minty, liquorice-tinged, ripe and chewy; for now it’s mostly brawn, with muscular power still directed rather narrowly. But there’s confidence and style, so give it a few years.

Ripe and focused, with a violet and alder frame that marries well to the core of lightly steeped plum and black currant fruit flavors. The alder edge asserts itself on the finish, though the fruit keeps pace just a half-step behind. This should settle in with some cellaring. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2026 through 2036. 14,000 cases made.

Black cherries, blackcurrants, tobacco, cacao and some licorice on the nose. Firm yet creamy, with very fine tannins that spread across the palate. Medium to full body. So long and beautifully balanced. Try from 2026.

The 2020 Prieuré-Lichine is elegant and nuanced, just as it was en primeur. Even so, I had hoped to see another step forward in this vintage, and it's just not there. For example, the aromatics aren't quite as focused as they could be. Prieuré-Lichine is still a very good wine, but it is not all it could be.

Flowers, dark, red pit fruits, mint, and just a hint of chocolate create the perfume. The wine is silky, fresh, plush and polished with an elegant, vibrant finish that does not want to quit. This is already stellar in your glass, and with some time in the cellar, it is only going to get better with age. Drink from 2024-2047.

Deep dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, deep core, delicate rim brightening. Delicate floral notes, ripe plums, a chocolatey touch, a hint of cloves and candied orange zest. Juicy, ripe cherries, subtle sweetness, vivid, integrated tannins, some nougat on the finish, seems powerful, a sturdy food wine with future prospects. (2025-2050).

Pure, intense, and refined nose showing wild raspberry, violet, and some darker fruit notes with stylish oak, a rather Burgundian character, and a supple texture with fine roundness, elegance, and length.

Tasted on two separate occasions, the 2020 Château Prieuré-Lichine has a solid perfume of redcurrants, blueberries, smoky oak, and chocolate that shows more and more floral nuances with time in the glass. Nicely textured on the palate, with medium to full-bodied richness, it has solid mid-palate depth, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It needs a solid 4-6 years of bottle age but is another impressive 2020 with real class.

Kunz barrel sample 2021: upfront, sweet bouquet, cherries, blackberries, caramel. Slim, light palate with sweet fruit, fine-sandy tannins, light aromatics, bitter finish. Has room to improve.

Forward, sweet bouquet with cherries, blackberries, caramel. Slim, light palate with sweet fruit, finely sandy tannins, light aromatics, bitter finish. Can still improve. 16/20 2025 - 2038

Austere but sappy tannic frame; this is a successful wine with plenty of damson, bilberry and blackberry fruits, with black pepper, smoked earth, slate, liquorice and grilled almond. Not generous at this early stage, but the foundations are there for long ageing and a seriously enjoyable future. 32hl/ha yield, 40% new oak.

93-94

The bouquet of Prieuré-Lichine stands out with aromas of black berries followed by a hint of licorice and caramel, while freshness is provided by nuances of eucalyptus. On the palate, the wine opens with an inviting, slightly juicy attack. It offers creamy, smooth, and powerful tannins that carry this charming touch through to the finish. This is precisely where Prieuré-Lichine shines, with beautifully handled tannins that clearly keep austerity in check. A wine that combines breadth, charm, and definition. What a great success!

93–95. Barrel Sample. This wine already shows a luscious side with its ripe black fruits and rich tannins. The obverse shows structure and acidity. Both these elements will together give a wine for aging.