LE PIN

Unlike many other properties in Bordeaux, Le Pin’s story is not an old one; it began in 1924 with the acquisition of the vineyard by Madame Laubie. During her time at the head of the estate, there was little income and no investment, and by the time she passed away in 1979, Le Pin was left in a precarious situation.

The property, with a little over 1 hectare of vines, was then acquired by the Thienpont family, who were already well-known in the region, having acquired nearby Vieux Chateau Certan in 1924. Over time, this family has established what might be seen as a viticultural dynasty. Among this dynasty, Marcel was a central figure in the acquisition of the estate, and his sons also followed in his footsteps. The first, Luc, was the owner of Labégorce-Zédé until its sale in 2005. The latter, Jacques, today runs Le Pin.

 Actually, Le Pin is something of an accidental superstar, and it is only with the passage of time, thanks to excellent quality combined with scarcity, and comparisons with first growths, Petrus and the like, that the price has really rocketed towards the stratosphere. For many, this is the new star of the appellation.

The vines include 8% Cabernet Franc but are otherwise all Merlot, and the wine itself is 100% Merlot. Once harvested by hand, the wine is fermented in the stainless steel vats that lie just past the entrance to the small cellar. Beyond that there is a barrel room, which is small but adequate; two vintages will generally occupy no more than 70 barrels. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in wood, naturally 100% new, and then rests for perhaps 18 months before egg-white fining and bottling, only being disturbed when racked every three months. The quantity produced is small, 500-700 cases.

Le Pin, most people report, was named for the solitary pine tree that stands adjacent to the property. The first vintage bottled by the Thienpont family was labelled back in 1979.

Top Le Pin vintages produced: