Le PinProducer from Bordeaux, France

Pomerol, Bordeaux

Le Pin is one of the most exclusive and sought-after wines in the world, produced in the tiny Pomerol appellation of Bordeaux. Known for its opulence, concentration, and extraordinary finesse, Le Pin is often considered the ultimate expression of Pomerol’s unique terroir. Despite its small production and relatively recent history, Le Pin has achieved cult status among wine collectors and connoisseurs, with each vintage eagerly awaited and highly prized.

History of Le Pin

Le Pin was established in 1979 by Jacques Thienpont, a member of the renowned Thienpont family, who also owns Château Vieux Château Certan. Jacques purchased a small 1.6-hectare vineyard in Pomerol, which was originally part of Château Le Gay, and named the estate "Le Pin" after the lone pine tree that stood on the property.

The first vintage of Le Pin, produced in 1981, was made in a simple cellar with rudimentary equipment. However, the wine’s exceptional quality quickly attracted attention, and Le Pin became known for its rich, hedonistic style, characterized by intense fruit, silky tannins, and incredible depth. Over the years, the estate has expanded slightly, but it remains one of the smallest and most exclusive properties in Bordeaux, producing only a few hundred cases each year.

Today, Le Pin is managed by Fiona Morrison, MW, and her husband Jacques Thienpont, who continue to produce wines that are celebrated for their concentration, elegance, and complexity.

The Terroir of Le Pin

The terroir of Le Pin is one of the estate’s greatest assets, contributing to the unique character and quality of its wines. The vineyard is located on a gentle slope in the heart of Pomerol, where the soils are a mix of gravel, sand, and clay, with a subsoil rich in iron oxide ("crasse de fer"). These well-drained soils are ideal for cultivating Merlot, which is the sole grape variety planted at Le Pin.

The vineyard is planted with 100% Merlot, reflecting the estate’s focus on producing a pure expression of Pomerol’s terroir. The vines are meticulously tended, with low yields to ensure concentration and complexity in the wines.

The unique combination of soils, exposure, and meticulous vineyard management allows Le Pin to produce wines that are both powerful and refined, with a remarkable ability to age gracefully over decades.

Winemaking at Le Pin

Winemaking at Le Pin is a meticulous process that combines tradition with innovation. The grapes are hand-harvested and undergo rigorous sorting to ensure that only the finest fruit is used in the winemaking process. Fermentation takes place in small stainless steel vats, allowing for precise control over the extraction of flavours and tannins.

The wines are then aged in 100% new French oak barrels for 18 to 22 months, which contributes to the wine’s rich, opulent texture and enhances its complexity. The result is a wine that is both approachable in its youth and capable of developing greater complexity and nuance over time.