Chateau Le Prieure St. Emilion Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Le Prieure St. Emilion with wine tasting notes and wine-with-food pairing tips. Learn all the best vintages, a history of the property, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Le Prieure History, Overview

Chateau Le Prieure dates all the way back to 1696 when it went under the name of Cru des Cordeliers. The more modern era begins when what we know of as Chateau Le Prieure was purchased in 1897 by Joseph Brisson. Once that purchase was completed, he altered the name of the Bordeaux estate to Chateau Le Prieure.

In 1998, the owners of Chateau Le Prieure conducted a complete renovation of the St. Emilion estate. This included rebuilding the wine-making facilities and replanting about 50% of their Right Bank vineyard. During the replanting, the amount of Cabernet Franc was increased to 25%, while the Merlot was reduced to 75%.

They purchased nine, new, thermoregulated, stainless steel vats and sorting tables. The addition of these nine, new vats allowed Chateau Le Prieure to vinify on a parcel-by-parcel basis, which helped improve the quality of their wine.

In 2004, the owner, Olivier Guichard passed away. His daughter Aline Guichard and her husband Paul Goldschmidt took over the responsibility of managing Chateau Le Prieure on a full-time basis. They also counted Chateau Vray Croix de Gay in Pomerol and Chateau Siaurac, which is located in the Lalande de Pomerol appellation among their Right Bank holdings.

However, that all changed in March 2014 when the Goldschmidt family sold a large percentage of their vineyards to the owner of Chateau Latour, Francois Pinault through his Artemis group. By late 2017, the Artemis group purchased the remaining shares of Le Prieure.

3 years later in September 2020, Suravenir Insurance, the owners of Chateau Calon Segur in St. Estephe purchased Chateau Le Prieure along with the other 2 Right Bank vineyards, Chateau Vray Croix de Gay in Pomerol, Chateau Le Pireurie in St. Emilion and Chateau Siaurac in Lalande de Pomerol.

Chateau Le Prieure Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 6.25-hectare Right Bank vineyard of Chateau Le Prieure is planted to 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. The vineyards are a bit spread out. In fact, you can separate the vineyard into 19 different parcels.

They have parcels located not far from Chateau Trottevieille, while other parcels are closer to Chateau Troplong Mondot, Chateau Pavie-Macquin, and Chateau La Clotte. There are also parcels on the border between Saint Emilion and Pomerol.

The terroir consists of thin layers of clay over limestone soils. However, the level of quality in the vineyards varies, because the parcels are not contiguous. At their peak, the vineyards rise to 89 meters, giving them one of the highest elevations in Saint Emilion. On average the vines are kept at an average of 41 years of age.

The vine density is 7,100 vines per hectare. Since 2008, the vineyard has practiced only sustainable farming management. Starting with the 2016 vintage, the estate moved to use only 100% organic and biodynamic farming techniques.

To produce the wine of Chateau Le Prieure, vinification takes place in 9 stainless steel vats of various sizes. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels. The wine is then aged in 50% new, French oak barrels for between 12 to 16 months. The amount of new wood used depends on the style and character of the vintage.

The best vintages of Chateau Le Prieure are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, and 2005.

The winery was consulted by Stephane Derenoncourt from 2006 to 2009 and since 2010, by Alain Raynaud who remained with Chateau Le Prieure until 2014. Close to 1,800 cases of wine are produced each vintage. There is a second wine, Delice du Prieure.

When to Drink Chateau Le Prieure, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Le Prieure needs some time before it can be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1 – 2 hours. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume.

Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau Le Prieure is usually better with at least 4-6 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Le Prieure offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 5-20 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Le Prieure with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Le Prieure is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau Le Prieure is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Le Prieure is also good when matched with Asian dishes, and hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

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