Château Prieuré-Lichine is a prestigious winery in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux, located in the commune of Cantenac. Classified as a Quatrième Cru (Fourth Growth) in the historic 1855 Bordeaux Wine Official Classification, the estate has a long and storied history. Originally a Benedictine priory, the vineyard produced wine for religious ceremonies before evolving into commercial production in the 18th century under the name Le Prieuré de Cantenac. After the French Revolution, the property was seized, divided, and sold to surrounding estates, including Château Palmer. By 1855, its reputation and broker prices earned it the Fourth Growth classification. In 1951, Alexis Lichine purchased the estate, then consisting of 11 hectares of neglected vines, and began extensive restoration. With the guidance of Count Lur-Saluces, he renamed it Château Prieuré-Lichine in 1953. Lichine sacrificed portions of less desirable land to neighbouring estates to consolidate 47 acres (19 ha) of prime vineyard, and later expanded the estate to 58 hectares with advice from renowned oenologists Emile Peynaud and Patrick Léon. Today, the estate covers approximately 77.5 hectares (192 acres), planted to 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, with an average vine age of 30 years and a density of 8,000 vines per hectare. The gravelly soils, shaped by Quaternary river floods, sit on well-drained mounds overlooking the Gironde estuary. Winemaking includes fermentation in tulip-shaped cement vats, followed by ageing for up to 16 months in 50% new oak barrels and 5% one-year-old barrels. The wines of Château Prieuré-Lichine are rich, lavish, and expressive, often considered superior to its 1855 classification. Stéphane Derenoncourt currently serves as consulting oenologist, ensuring the estate continues to produce elegant, high-quality Margaux wines.