2016 Chateau Prieure-Lichine 4eme Cru Classe, Margaux

The 2016 Prieuré-Lichine is one of the most beautiful and expressive wines of the year. Dark, sensual and inviting, it possesses remarkable depth and textural richness. All the elements are in the right place. Silky tannins, bright red fruit and soaring, lifted aromatics all contribute to the wine's sensual personality. Consulting winemakers Stéphane Derenoncourt and Julien Lavenu are doing absolutely brilliant work here. The new winery, inaugurated with the 2015 harvest, is giving the team the flexibility to pick and vinify smaller lots, which is one of the reasons quality has improved in recent vintages. The blend is 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Tasted two times. - vinous.com, April 2017

Layered and rich with plenty of ripe fruit and ripe tannins. Full body, round and chewy tannins and a citrusy finish. Excellent like the 2015. - March 2017

The 2016 Prieure-Lichine has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and a bold, intensely scented nose of warm blackcurrants, black raspberries and mulberries with hints of cedar chest, tobacco, dried herbs and iron ore. Medium-bodied, the palate has bags of class with lovely, vibrant black berries flavors and earthy sparks framed by ripe grainy tannins, finishing long and refreshing.

This captures the essence of the vintage, with a mix of dark plum and currant flavors, accented by cherry and raspberry fruit, all backed by energetic, brambly tannins and mouthwatering underlying acidity. - James Molesworth (WineSpectator.com, April 2017)

The 2016 Prieure-Lichine took a little encouragement from the glass, eventually revealing blackberry, blueberry and violet aromas, just a touch of earthiness in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin cloaked in plenty of succulent black fruit tinged with graphite and smoke. I admire the linearity of this classic Margaux, quite persistent in the mouth with satisfying freshness from start to finish. I am sure this will reside at the top of my banded score once in bottle. - Wine Advocate #230, April 2017

Tasted blind. Racy, pacy, chalky finish. Refreshing. Dry and drying on the end. Short of fruit. (JR)