2017 Château Prieuré-Lichine

Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Wild fruit on the nose – full of briary fruit and pomegranate. There is a ferrous note to add to the complex and slightly odd array of aromas. This follows into the palate, which is savoury – notes of dried earth together with chalky and plentiful tannins. There are elements to like here but it is a bit too wild for such a young wine. (TP)

The 2017 Prieuré-Lichine is powerful and dense, with quite a bit more structure and tannic heft than it showed en primeur. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but there is no question the 2017 has developed into a pretty potent Margaux. The signature red fruit and floral notes are there, but readers will have to be patient waiting for them to fully emerge. En primeur, Prieuré-Lichine was charming, but from bottle it is far less forthcoming. This deep, robust Margaux appears to have a bright future in the cellar. Tasted two times.

Medium to deep garnet-purple color, the 2017 Prieure-Lichine is composed of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. It rocks up with expressive blackcurrant cordial, stewed plums and boysenberries scents plus suggestions of unsmoked cigars, cedar chest and cardamom. Medium-bodied, the palate has a solid frame of chewy tannins and bold freshness supporting the muscular black fruits, finishing on a stewed tea note.