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Château Le Pin
Order Château Le Pin now »
Top Vintages Produced: |
1982, 1983, 1989, 1990, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2009
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Classification: |
Le Pin – Appellation Pomerol Contrôlée
Trilogie – Declassified
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Varieties: |
Merlot 92%, Cabernet Franc 8%
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Wines Produced: |
Le Pin – 100% Merlot
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Reserve your 2010 Château Le Pin En Primeur »
History
Château Le Pin is one of the most valuable wines in the world and yet, unlike other famous Bordeaux properties,
its history is a relatively short one. It begins in 1979 when Madame Laubie, who had owned the vineyard since
1924, died. During her tenure, there was little income or investment which left the property in a precarious
situation. However, when the Thienpoint family acquired the 1 hectare property in 1979, the fortunes of this
miniscule vineyard began to change.
Marcel Thienpoint was a key figure in the early years of Le Pin, so named for the solitary pine tree adjacent to the
house, gradually doubling the size of the vineyard by acquiring small adjoining plots of land. The first vintage was
labelled in 1979 and provided a suitable showcase for the rich, majestic wine that was to capture the imagination of
wine lovers from there-on-in. (read more)
Le Pin is the forerunner of the "garagiste" wine movement more often associated with Saint-Émilion than Pomerol, which
is typified by small-scale production levels, meticulous attention to detail, word-of-mouth marketing and distinctive
wines. Currently, Le Pin is managed by Jacques Thienpoint who only releases 500-700 cases per vintage.
From time to time, Le Pin also bottles a multi-vintage blend of lots which are not up to the exacting standards
needed for the main bottling. This non-vintage labeled rarity is known as Trilogie.
Viticulture and Vinification
The transformation in Le Pin's fortunes required extensive efforts on the part of Thienpont. His first action
was to uproot and replant the whole vineyard with almost entirely Merlot vines. Situated on the Pomerol plateau,
the south-facing Le Pin is also blessed with gravelly soil that is exceptionally low-yielding (between 30 to 35 hl
per hectare) and produces rich, concentrated grapes.
The vineyard is tended and harvested by hand and the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in wood, a detail
which is believed to contribute to the wine’s huge and exotically scented bouquet. The wine is subsequently matured
in 100% new oak barriques for up to 18 months. This maturation process gives it a richness and palate weight which
develops significantly with ageing.
This super-concentrated wine is decadent and lush. Although it can be drunk young, they are best after a decade
or more of bottle-ageing.
Order top vintages of Château Le Pin
- Le Pin 2009: (95-98 RP)
"A great classic...displays unreal density and a profound flavour..." – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
- Le Pin 2001: (98 RP)
"An extraordinary perfume of crème de cassis, cherry liqueur, plums, liquorice, caramel, and sweet toast..." – Robert Parker,
The Wine Advocate
- Le Pin 1982: (100 RP)
"This flamboyant, exotic, lavishly rich, concentrated, low acid fruit bomb exhibits remarkable aromatic complexity..." – Robert Parker,
The Wine Advocate
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The wines displayed here only represent a small portion of our total inventory.
To check our complete stockholdings, please contact
us via email or call us on +44 (0) 20 3219 5588.
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