Château LE PIN
Red
- 2021
- Pomerol
Like Pétrus, Le Pin is 100% Merlot. But if Pétrus has adopted a more classic style in recent years, Le Pin remains a hedonistic wine, often exuberant, sometimes even exotic. And unlike Pétrus, Le Pin is much rarer (500 cases per year).
The 2021 vintage in the press:
La Revue du Vin de France (September 2024): 97/100 “After a series of powerful vintages, 2021 returns to a dashing style, where accessibility and delicacy are the key words, recalling the balance of the Bordeaux of thirty years ago, with today's technical precision. Proprietor Jacques Thienpont points out that his 2021 reminds him of the great success of his 1994, considered to be the best of the vintage. You can't help but fall under its spell, with a kind of immediacy, combining small black berries, potpourri and zan. The touch is remarkable, with taffeta-like tannins and a quasi-Ligerian balance”.
Vinous (A. Galloni - December 2023): 91/100 “The 2021 Le Pin has turned out beautifully. Elevage has done wonders in building texture. Dark, pliant and super-expressive, the 2021 is fabulous right out of the gate. Bright acids resonate on the striking finish. Black cherry, plum, leather, spice, graphite and jasmine lend an exotic flair. Time in the glass releases the aromatics. The 2021 is a gorgeous wine.”
- To keep or to drink :
- Wait 1 to 2 years
- Apogée :
- 2028-2040
From the same producer
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Like Pétrus, Le Pin is 100% Merlot. But if Pétrus has adopted a more classic style in recent years, Le Pin remains a hedonistic wine, often exuberant, sometimes even exotic. And unlike Pétrus, Le Pin is much rarer (500 cases per year).
The 2023 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Martin - February 2026): 97/100 "The 2023 Le Pin was bottled in early June after aging in two-thirds new oak with racking every four months, with no collage. “Nature gave us the balance,” remarked Guillaume Thienpont. It has a very well-defined and very pure bouquet that blossoms in the glass, black fruit, hints of dark chocolate manifesting with aeration. This is beautifully balanced, with a sensually creamy texture that just glides across the mouth. Very well-defined, lovely poise with impressive depth toward the finish, this a gorgeous Le Pin. Very persistent in the mouth, superb. [Interestingly, a decanted bottle demonstrated a tad more precision and race on the finish.]"
More- To keep or to drink:
- Wait 5 to 10 years
- Apogée:
- 2032-2050
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A small estate located near Troplong-Mondot and Valandraud, acquired in 2009 by Jacques Thienpont (already owner of Ch. Le Pin). A wine that is as exceptional as it is confidential (6 hectares)!
The 2023 vintage in the press:
J-M Quarin (March 2026): 94/100 “Beautiful dark red. Very aromatic nose with ripe fruit. A hint of truffle. Meticulous on the palate, fragrant in the middle, with a fine richness running through. The wine finishes long and flavorful, with a touch of austerity in the tannins.”
Vinous (N. Martin - February 2026): 92/100 "The 2023 L'If comes only from the clay-limestone soils. It takes a few moments to settle in the bottle after being bottled in June. The limestone subsoil percolates through the black fruit, subtle marine and seaweed notes in the background. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins. Fine acidity, certainly more mineral-driven compared to other Saint-Émilion wines, a dash of black pepper and allspice toward the finish. This is nicely composed and should drink well for 12 to 15 years."
More- To keep or to drink:
- Wait 3 to 5 years
- Apogée:
- 2030-2048
- Grape varieties:
- 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
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A small estate located near Troplong-Mondot and Valandraud, acquired in 2009 by Jacques Thienpont (already owner of Ch. Le Pin). A wine that is as exceptional as it is confidential (6 hectares)!
The 2022 vintage in the press:
Vinous (A. Galloni - January 2025): 96/100 "The 2022 L'If is seriously beautiful. Dark, racy and layered, the 2022 captures all the natural intensity of the year and yet remains so polished. L'If is 80% Merlot (from four parcels) and 20% Cabernet Franc (from two parcels), spread across Saint-Émilion. The 2022 spent 14 months in French oak, 50% new. A touch more Cabernet Franc than in the early days and parcel on the St. Etienne de Lisse plateau (from 2020 on) have added more aromatic freshness and vivacity here, which is especially beneficial in torrid vintages. As good as the 2022 is today, I get the impression there is a lot in reserve."
J-M Quarin (February 2025): 96/100 "Intense purple colour. Very aromatic nose, fine, fruity and subtle. Fat on the palate, fat in the middle, with a classy feel and lots of flavour, the wine caresses the palate. The finish is juicy, deep and noble, with a fine grain. Delicious and very long."
Bettane + Desseauve (Guide 2026) : 96/100
More- To keep or to drink:
- Wait 3 to 5 years
- Apogée:
- 2030-2042
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A small estate located near Troplong-Mondot and Valandraud, acquired in 2009 by Jacques Thienpont (already owner of Ch. Le Pin). A wine that is as exceptional as it is confidential (6 hectares)!
The 2021 vintage in the press:
Vinous (A. Galloni - December 2023): 96/100 “The 2021 L'If is a wine of power and reserve. It exudes notable density and richness, but in the more restrained style of the year. Black cherry, graphite, spice, leather, tobacco and chocolate fill out the layers effortlessly. The 2021 is a gorgeous wine, but it won't be ready to appreciate fully for a mumber of years. Even so, it was exquisite in two separate tastings.”
Bettane + Desseauve (Guide 2026) : 93/100
More- To keep or to drink:
- Ready to drink
- Apogée:
- 2026-2038