The healthy ruby/plum-hued 2021 Château Prieuré-Lichine checks in as 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot. It has solid depth and intensity in its red and black fruits as well notes of smoke tobacco, earth, and chocolate. As with most 2021s, it's not massive, but this has good mid-palate density, a ripe, rounded mouthfeel, and velvety tannins. It's already delicious but should evolve for 10-12 years and, I suspect, have a gradual decline thereafter.

The 2021 Prieuré-Lichine is a sensual, classy wine. Bright floral accents run through a core of red/purplish fruit, rose petal, mint and spice. There's good energy, if not quite the mid-palate pliancy that is typical. There was some inconsistency in the barrel samples I saw, so I remain somewhat cautious.

Offering up aromas of dark berries, orange confit, cola and mint, the 2021 Prieuré-Lichine is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and round, with decent depth at the core, powdery tannins and a front-loaded style that will offer near-term appeal.