The Lichine Priory Castle through History
From monastic lands to the finest wines of the Gironde
The History ofChâteau Prieuré-LichineThe vineyard is very old, having existed for nearly 10 centuries. It initially belonged to the Abbey of Vertheuil and served the Priory of Cantenac. However, the land was not exclusively dedicated to vines at that time. The wines produced, on the other hand, were very quickly and widely appreciated. The Bordeaux pope of the time, Clement V, played a significant role in this; under his reign, the vineyards developed and prospered very rapidly. It wasn't until the 15th century that the first wines appeared under the label of the Priory of Cantenac. In the 18th century, the Médoc region gradually gained renown, and its wines became among the most sought-after. The Priory of Cantenac then specialized in viticulture, which allowed it to develop expertise in this field, culminating in its promotion in 1855.4th Classified Growth of Margaux.
Like many Bordeaux châteaux, the beginning of the 20th century was very difficult; between the two world wars and the 1929 stock market crash, it was considerably reduced. 1953 then marked the vineyard's rebirth when it was acquired byAlexis Lichineconsidered the Pope of Wine. He did such a great deal of work in consolidating the vineyards and improving winemaking that his name became associated with the estate, making it theChâteau Prieuré-LichineThe property now belongs toBallande Groupwhich continues the improvement and refinement of techniques within the vineyard.
All the typical characteristics of the Margaux appellation
The exceptional terroir of Château Prieuré-Lichine
THE80 hectares of vineyards belonging to Château Prieuré-Lichineextend into the heart of the very famousMargaux appellationtaking advantage of its exceptional terroir. Indeed, composed mainly of gravel, pebbles, sand, and clay sediments, the sedimentary soils on the hillocks benefit from optimal drainage. The lands ofChâteau Prieuré-LichineHaving cultivated vines for so many centuries, the owners have had ample time to find the ideal grape varieties that thrive in perfect harmony with the local terroir. Thus, for the red grape varieties, the choice fell on Merlot (45%), Petit Verdot (5%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (50%). Regarding the white grape varieties, the owners planted 60% of the plots with Sauvignon Blanc and 40% with Sémillon. Beyond the grape varieties, the successive owners of theChâteau Prieuré-Lichinehave always been committed to adapting their viticultural practices in order to cultivate their vineyards in a wayreasoned and respectfulThis decision also allows for aoptimal use of the local areato optimize its qualities and to offerwines with perfect balance and richness.
The expertise of Château Prieuré Lichine
A well-deserved 4th Growth Classified position
The approach chosen by theChâteau Prieuré-Lichineis to cultivate his vineyard while preserving theplot diversityin order to allow each grape variety to express its full power, elegance, and finesse. These great wines are typical of theMargaux appellationTheir greatness stems from the expertise and meticulous attention to detail applied to their production. Indeed, the harvest, for example, is done by hand to select only the best berries, which are then subjected to a double sorting process. The winemaking and aging stages, meanwhile, employ the most modern techniques to produce wines with a full and velvety tannic structure and a refined elegance worthy of the finest vintages. Thus, theChâteau Prieuré-Lichine, thanks to its exceptional terroir typical of the Margaux appellation and the incredible expertise of its owners, proudly holds its place as4th Classified Grand CruIndeed, vintage after vintage the wines are elegant and of avery high level of refinementThese wines know how to win over even the most discerning wine lovers.
