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.

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.

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.

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. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2015&wine=Chateau%20Prieure-Lichine

A fleshy, seductive, fruit-driven style, featuring layers of warm fig, boysenberry and blackberry compote gliding along. Lovely black tea and licorice notes gild the finish, with a flash of very fine-grained alder weaving in as well. Shows good latent depth here despite the forward style, so no rush at all. Best from 2022 through 2035. 17,500 cases made. — JM