Château Prieuré-Lichine

Château Prieuré-Lichine

The Prieuré-Lichine vineyards are naturally, in view of Lichine’s many acquisitions, very widely spread across the Margaux commune. The estate is about 77 hectares of which 70 are under vine. Most lie to the north of Cantenac, on one of the gravel ridges that characterise the Médoc.

The vines are 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, and are planted at a density of 8,500 vines/ha. The overall yield is 45 hl/ha. The average age of the vines is about 25 years.

They are harvested by hand, sorted and crushed before fermentation in temperature-controlled concrete vats with a maceration lasting between three and four weeks. The must is pumped over twice daily to submerge the cap. The wine is then transferred into oak for up to 16 months, with 55% of the oak replaced each vintage. It is racked every three months, before bottling.