Prieuré-Lichine Margaux 2015

96 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "This balances the generosity of damson and cassis on one side, with elegance and freshness on the other – the hardest thing to get right in a wine. Notes of eucalyptus, liquorice and spice on the finish, this is just delicious. It showcases the succulence of the vintage, which was given a springboard by the work done at the château. The grapes were harvested over four weeks, compared to just three in 2010, which was also an exceptional vintage. However 2015 received a lot more plot-by-plot work and also produced higher yields – 42hl/h compared to 32hl/h in 2010 – giving the fruit more capacity to develop. For me this is clearly the best wine I have ever tasted from the property. Made using 50% new oak barrels. Drinking Window: 2025-2045. (9/12/18)"

96 points James Suckling: "Some very ripe dark-plum aromas with a wealth of sweet spices and earthy notes. The palate has an impressively rich, suave and smooth core of black fruit with a powerful palate that delivers concentrated and intense structure. This is superb Margaux. Try from 2022. (1/22/18)"

95 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2015 Prieuré-Lichine has really come together over the last two years. Sumptuous, bold and racy, with no hard edges or angular contours, the 2015 is all class. The purity of the flavors is striking. Bright floral and spice notes perk up the red stone fruit nicely in this sensual, silky Margaux. All the elements simply fall into place. This is the first vintage Stéphane Derenoncourt and his team made in the new cellar. In 2015 Prieuré-Lichine, is a total knock-out. Don't miss it. Drink: 2025-2040. (Feb 2018)"

95 points Wine Enthusiast: "This is a perfumed wine, rich in black currants and acidity as well as firm tannins. It is concentrated and dense while also elegant. The aftertaste boosts the ripe fruit and balanced acidity. Drink from 2025. Alcohol 13.5%. (Feb 2018)"

94 points Jane Anson (Inside Burgundy): "(66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot). Generous aromatics, raspberry puree, a little reticent right now as this is a big shouldered and well constructed wine that needs time to fully open. Edges of chocolate and liqourice alongside the cassis and black cherry fruits, and even in a generous vintage like 2015 there is still balance offered by a touch of mint and eucalyptus. Needs another few years in bottle before the terroir begins to reassert its authority, but this will give exceptional pleasure and is impressive. 50% new oak. Stephane Derenoncourt consultant. Alcohol 14%. Drink: 2025-2044. (5/20/22)"

94 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Velvet tannins and a wealth of fruit, with a purity give this wine its character. Floral, with loads of dark cherry, plum and boysenberry, licorice, smoke, espresso and wet earth give the wine complexity. This keeps getting better and better each time I taste it. Starting with the initial barrel sample, another tasting in 2017 before bottling and again in bottle, each step of the wine, this is really popped into high gear. This should offer 30 years of pleasure. (Mar 2018)"

93 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "The nose on this wine feels a little reticent, with time revealing little hints of roasted cherry fruit with a soft, plush feel to it, The palate shows just the same kind of style, soft and plump, the soft fruit wrapped around a central core of fine-grained tannin. While it feels very primary and perhaps a little directionless at present, it has some admirable primary fruit, as well as good substance, a fine structure, and overall it has charm. (May 2018)"

93 points La Revue du Vin de France (2019).