Margaux 2021 (Chateau Prieure Lichine)

Cellar for up to 25 years. Decant 1 hour before serving. This prized Margaux estate was originally a priory for Benedictine monks who made their own wines here until the property was seized and broken up during the French Revolution. In 1951 the estate was purchased aby wine merchant Alexis Lichine who reportedly picked it up for a bargain price as the vineyards were in such bad condition. Thanks to Lichine’s dedication and passion for the property, the chateau soon blossomed to include 58 hectares of vineyards spread across the Margaux appellation. After Lichine’s death chateau was run aby Lichine’s son, Sacha, who enlisted the help of world-famous consultant Michel Rolland until the sale of the estate in 1999. Their Grand Vin is predominantly composed of Cabernet Sauvignon along with a relatively high proportion of Merlot compared with their neighbours and a smaller amount of Petit Verdot. Each parcel is vinified separately to allow maximum control over the final blending. Before bottling the young wine is aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. Due to the relatively large amount of Merlot, this is a silky, supple style of Margaux with a perfumed nose and a great depth of flavour. Cassis, dark plums and blackberries along with subtle hints of cigar box spice and tobacco burst out of the glass while the first sip reveals crushed dark berries and spice with firm tannins and a very long finish.