| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Le Pin
This is undeniably the greatest Le Pin I have tasted at such an infantile age. There are about 500 cases of this wine, which is made by the Thienpoint family, the owners of Vieux Chateau Certan. One hundred percent Merlot, it continues to possess the exoticism of previous vintages, but the oak at present is far better crafted and integrated than in the debut vintage of 1979. Exceptional purity and a blockbuster nose of mocha, black cherry liqueur, mulberries and plums are followed by an extravagantly rich wine that seems to have a nearly endless finish. Truly haute couture of Merlot, so to speak, this wine has a finish that goes well past a minute, with wonderfully sweet tannins and a provocative concentrated, broad mouthfeel that is remarkably luxurious. This is amazing stuff! It should drink well for 20-25 years.
This shows intense fruit, with plums, boysenberry and cherries with cocoa, black olives and coffee bean. Amazing aromas. Full-bodied, with ultra-fine tannins and fabulous fruit. Such length and class to this. Wonderfully crafted. Best Le Pin since the perfect 1998. Try in 2020.
Medium garnet colored, the 2009 Le Pin comes charging out of the glass with exuberant notions of baked red and black cherries, mulberries and warm plums with touches of star anise, cigar box and lavender plus wafts of menthol and fragrant soil. Full-bodied and boldly fruited, it has tons of vibrant red and black fruit layers with wonderful mineral and floral sparks throughout the long, plushly textured finish. Drink 2020-2055.
Picked 22 and 25 Sep just after the rain (deluge 19 and 20 Sep) so 'more water in the wine'. Nice fragrance. Deckchair vintage. Lively and fresh and not obviously rich Merlot. Rain revived the vines. Very suave and lush. Very refreshing, rather feminine. Plush and flattering and really quite delicate. Polished and not at all heavy. This could be a standout Le Pin, I think. Date tasted 30th March 2010. Drink 2015-2030.
Delivering pure, unadulterated essence of raspberry throughout, this also features silky-textured tannins that build and build as the wine courses along. Lilting black tea and toasty vanilla bean aromas weave in and out. Primal and complex. Fantastic mouthfeel and length. Best from 2015 through 2035. From France.-J.M.
Very seductive and gourmand. Ripe, red fruit and spice. Burgundian in character. Rich and concentrated but with lift and freshness. Plenty of charm. As good, if not better than the excellent 2001. Drink 2018-2035.
Very rich and lush, but also extremely refined, this has a lightness of touch that some top Pomerols of the vintage lack. That has a lot to do with the stunningly fine tannins that glide through the long super-fine finish. Better than ever. Drink or hold (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019)
A great classic, the 2009 Le Pin (100% Merlot) displays unreal density and a profound flavor profile, but also reveals good structure and elegance. Even though it is aged in 100% new oak, no wood is detectable, which is a tip off to what we are dealing with in the most extraordinary 2009s. The oak and tannins are often totally unnoticeable because of the sheer magnitude and mass of fruit and glycerin. This 2009, made in the style of the 1982, should drink well for 25 or more years. (Tasted once.) Drink 2010-2035.
Picked on 22nd and 25th September from younger vines and then older, a blend assembled by Jacques Thienpont direct from barrel, delivering 13.5% alcohol and a pH 3.7, the '09 Le Pin has a very pure lifted bouquet of blueberry, blackberry, a touch of black plum and a hint of truffle. The palate is full-bodied with quite sinewy tannins, just a little aggression at the moment, which will be softened during elevage. A compact Le Pin at the moment, quite linear and strict towards the finish then a hint of spice on the aftertaste. I feel that this is not showing its best at the moment, but it should meld together nicely by the time of bottling. Tasted April 2010.
This is classic Merlot from Pomerol on the nose, with black licorice, black olive and rich fruit. Yet it's subtle and pretty. Full-bodied, and chewy, with loads of power. Tannic and muscular. Chocolate, coffee and vanilla bean. I can't remember a Le Pin like this. You'd have to go back to 1986, or 1983.
