2009 - Prieure-Lichine, Margaux

An excellent vintage, showing beautiful depth and complexity at 13 years old. Grilled spices, warming turmeric and clove, gentle tobacco, cigar box, leather, raspberry leaf, eucalyptus, and touches of saline crackers. Almost hinting at tertiary flavours, but more reflecting the warmth and generosity of the vintage. Plenty of life but you can begin to enjoy this now - it's a wine for sharing. A touch of hail in May meant they used an optical sorting machine for the first time. 50% new oak, harvest September 30 to Ocober 19. First year with Etienne Charrier as technical director, coming over to Margaux from Château Mazèyres in Pomerol. Stephane Derenoncourt consultant.

The 2009 Prieuré-Lichine was one of the pleasant surprises of this blind tasting, a Margaux that has improved in recent years. It has a superb, very Pauillac bouquet with graphite infused black fruit that is very well defined and neatly integrated with the new oak. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, very well balanced with quite saline and very persistent finish. Superb. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting.