Château Prieuré-Lichine Margaux 2018 is a powerful yet polished expression of the Margaux appellation, earning 94 points from both James Suckling and Decanter. The wine opens with aromas of blackberry, cassis, damson, black raspberry, spice and lilac, while the full-bodied palate delivers silky tannins, vibrant freshness and impressive depth. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, it finishes long and richly spiced, with excellent ageing potential through the 2040s.

James Suckling | JS 94
Published: Jan 8, 2021

Blackberry with white-pepper and some tile undertones on the nose. It’s full-bodied with tight, chewy tannins yet so beautifully polished and composed. Lingering finish. This needs time to soften and come together. Best after 2024.

Decanter | D 94
Published: Nov 10, 2020
Drink: 2026-2042

Power, character and succulence abound with well-handled cassis and damson fruits. This is good-quality with chocolate shavings, silky tannins and a heavily spiced finish. A yield of 35hl/ha. 45% new oak.
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 13.50%
Body: Full
Grapes: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon 30% Merlot 5% Petit Verdot

The Wine Advocate | RP 91
Published: Mar 31, 2021
Drink: 2022-2036

The medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Prieure-Lichine sings of black raspberries, kirsch and fresh red and black currants, followed by hints of powdered cinnamon, lilacs and bouquet garni. The medium-bodied palate is delicately played with bags of freshness and a soft texture framing the red berry and spicy layers, finishing with an herbal lift.

Jancis Robinson | JR 17
Published: Jan 19, 2022
Drink: 2026-2044

Tasted blind. Intense, savoury nose. Composed and mouth-filling with a dry end but lots of purple fruit (elderberry?) on the way there. Clean and cool. Jancis Robinson

Prieure-lichine.fr

The 2018 is the quintessential expression of great Cabernet Sauvignon vintages. The dry end of season weather brought out all the elegance and breed of this king grape variety of the Médoc. The 2018 growing season was defined by two very distinct periods: a rainy beginning to the cycle with a high level of fungal disease threat, particularly of downy mildew which was very severe, followed by a period of very dry weather that set in at the beginning of July. The abundant rain that fell in winter and spring ensured good water reserves for the vines for the whole of the vine cycle. The first signs of water deficit stress appeared at the end of September and succeeded in concentrating the thick-skinned berries.
This year once again, the work done in the vineyard proved decisive in bringing the grapes of Prieuré-Lichine’s patchwork of vineyard plots to full ripeness. The harvesting was performed without one single break enabling us to pick perfectly healthy grapes in each sector of the vineyard.
Pigeage (punching down the cap of skins), enabling the release of the juices during the fermentation through physical means, was an extra asset in the extraction of ripe, silky tannins. The structured and dynamic Cabernet Sauvignon grapes provided the balance for the Merlot, which was rich in alcohol.
The numerous qualities of the vintage can be found in Confidences 2018, whose gourmet expression and velvety structure ensure immediate drinking pleasure.