Updated: Nov 8, 2022
An old-style, classic St Julien built to last, with masses of structure and potential. Lots of elegance: wood is well-integrated and mingles well with dark fruit from the 75% Cabernet Sauvignon softened by some 15% of Merlot, which also accounts for its fruitiness-curranty aroma and the crisp, fresh acidity on the palate. The 10% Cabernet Franc completes an added dimension of red fruits, herbs, and peppery earthiness. Eventually, the black, ripe fruits abound in our oversized tasting glasses, with fruit sweetness and intensity. Finally, intense blackberries coat the palate with lots of focus and concentration: a very generous yet well-balanced wine and a very long finish.
There is a real sense of density and lovely persistence on the finish. Insiders consider this wine as a wine with quality between 4th Growth to Second Growth. Some tasters consider this St Pierre 2009 as a Super Second.
Where is the elegance of St Julien? Not too St Julien in style, as you may say, given its power, body, amount of tannins and texture, but this château punches well above its weight with the structure of 2009. This wine is no longer the hidden gem of St Julien, as the five previous vintages have propelled this wine to the forefront of the appellation.
The scores are very high; prices are still reasonable.
The all-time most excellent wine I have ever tasted from Saint-Pierre, this estate, the smallest of the grand cru classes of St.-Julien, has an opaque purple colour and a spectacular nose of subtle charcoal, creme de cassis, blackberry, and incense. Full-bodied, with striking intensity and flamboyantly rich, exuberant flavours bursting with extract, St. Pierre has no hard edges but rather massive, incredibly well-endowed blockbuster style, which should prove to be monumental. Give it 6-8 years to take on more definition and calm down, but this is a 30- to 40-year wine. Bravo! 98 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, March 2012. Edited.
Sultanas and subtle spices on the nose. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and excellent fruit concentration. Long and succulent. Stylish stuff. 94 James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, April 2010. Edited.
Medium to deep garnet in colour, the 2009 Saint-Pierre displays are maturing notes of crème de cassis, blackberry pie and prunes with hints of cardamom, fennel and star anise. Full-bodied, concentrated and jam-packed with black fruit preserves and fantastic freshness to balance, it has a firm, grainy texture and a very long, exotic spice finish. 2019 - 2049.
96 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (241), March 2019
This is beautiful, you feel the warm summer temperatures of 2009 in that the fruits are ripe, with touches of fig alongside raspberry puree and sweet black cherry, but it is balanced out by deft strokes of mint and eucalyptus, freshly cut herbs, black pepper, a tingle of minerality and tight tannins that are not quite renouncing their duty yet. Good stuff; a great moment to start drinking this wine. 55% new oak.
95 Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, February 2022. Edited.
We did not taste this wine and would quote the following comprehensive tastings. Scores are reasonably high.
96 points Vinous
The 2016 Prieuré-Lichine is all class. Floral, silky and nuanced to the core, 2016 is a wine of pure and total seduction. Freshly cut flowers, vibrant red fruit and creamy tannins all add to the wine's undeniable allure. In 2016, Prieuré-Lichine was all class, not to mention one of the sleepers of the vintage. Don't miss it! (AG) (1/2019). Edited.
94 points Wine Enthusiast
With vineyards in the southern Margaux village of Cantenac, this estate has produced a deliciously juicy wine. The structure follows a straight line between the tannins and the intense fruit and acidity. The wine should age well, ready to drink from 2024. (RV) (5/2019)
93 points Decanter
Likely to be relatively good value, there is plenty of fruit purity here, allied with concentrated red fruit on the palate, firm, ripe tannins and some classical Margaux fragrance. Quite delicate and refined, this has a fine lifted character, all very well balanced. Perfect result for Prieuré-Lichine in 2016. (AH) (11/2021). Edited.
93 points, James Suckling
A suave, polished Margaux that delivers iodine and dark-stone aromas and a wealth of ripe, plush dark fruit that follows through to the palate in attractive, fleshy and juicy mode. Try from 2022. (2/2019). Edited.
92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Prieure-Lichine has a medium to deep garnet-purple colour and a bold, intensely scented nose of warm blackcurrants, black raspberries and mulberries with hints of cedar chest, tobacco, dried herbs and iron ore. Medium-bodied, the palate has bags of class with lovely, vibrant black berries flavours and earthy sparks framed by ripe grainy tannins, finishing long and refreshing. (LPB) (3/2019). Edited.
92 points Wine Spectator
A restrained style, with a beam of cherry, cassis, lilac and sandalwood flavours, revealing an excellent fleshy feel and solid depth throughout. Light perfume and tobacco hints give the finish some added range. No fireworks here, just balance and focus. (JM) (3/2019). Edited.
We have not tasted this wine, but this wine is excellent for value and reflects the first wine in a lighthearted and ready-to-drink format. The score is consistent and reasonably high for a Second wine at this price point. Starts drinking well now.
92 points Decanter
This is a beautiful second wine and a real success in a vintage where second wines often punch below their weight. It's rich, plump, floral-edged, and, above all, extremely drinkable. It has a juicy frame, and it delivers. A 2% pinch of Petit Verdot adds spice (and is added only after the press wine, the final step to add depth, if needed). They used no secondary fruit at all. This should be good to go in five to six years. Tasted several times. (JA) (4/2018). Edited.
92 points Vinous
The 2017 Réserve de la Comtesse came from a barrel that had begun its élevage in a new barrel and then transferred into a used one. It has a well-defined bouquet with blackberry, oyster shell, subtle marine scents, and a nose full of character. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity and impressive density for a Deuxième Vin. A seductive, graphite-tinged finish. This is an excellent follow-up to 2016 and may even surpass it. (NM) (2/2020). Edited.
91 points Jeb Dunnuck
Starting with the second wine, the 2017 Reserve de la Comtesse has the hallmark purity and elegance of this estate front and centre, showing a deep ruby colour, classy notes of blackcurrants, cassis, white flowers, and hints of graphite, medium body, and sweet, polished tannins. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, brought up in 40% new oak, it tastes like a mini-grand vin from this great estate, and I suspect it will have a broad 15- to 20-year drink window. (2/2020). Edited
91 points, James Suckling
Some fresh-herb, cedar and berry aromas and flavours. Medium to full body, creamy tannins and a delicious finish. It shows tension and structure, though it's a little green. (1/2020). Edited.
91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2017 Reserve de la Comtesse is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet-purple coloured, it strolls out of the glass with nonchalant notions of preserved red plums, black cherries, kirsch and black raspberries with wafts of wilted roses, cinnamon toast, fallen leaves and tilled soil. Medium-bodied, the palate is beautiful, with delicately played tannins and bags of freshness, finishing wonderfully fragrant. (LPB) (3/2020). Edited.
Jancis Robinson
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Sweeter fruited than Pez, even lightly floral. Much better balance and is juicier on the palate. Lightish but all in proportion. Tannins are fine and must be with only a moderate depth of fruit. (JH) (4/2018). Edited.
