**PRE-ARRIVAL*

93 Pts Wine Advocate

The soft, sexy 2009 exhibits a dense plum/purple color along with a big, sweet bouquet of raspberries, black cherries, black currants, smoke and forest floor. Opulent and round with an attractive viscosity as well as outstanding purity, depth and length, it should drink well for two decades. While not one of the longest lived wines of the vintage, it is among the most precocious, flattering and charming at present. Prieure-Lichine’s beautiful, seductive 2009 is one of the finest efforts yet made at this property that was rejuvenated under the late Alexis Lichine. Quality began improving dramatically about fifteen years ago and with the hiring of wine consultant Stephane Derenoncourt things have improved even further.