$3,041-$5,123
Prices
2010-2020
Vintages
About
Château Le Pin is a renowned Bordeaux wine from the Pomerol appellation, known for its exceptional quality and rarity. The estate, covering 2.7 hectares, is managed by Jacques Thienpont and his family, who acquired it in 1979. The vineyard is planted almost exclusively with Merlot grapes, occasionally supplemented with Cabernet Franc. The wine is aged in new French oak barrels for 14 to 18 months, resulting in a rich, concentrated flavor profile. With an annual production of 600 to 700 cases, Le Pin is one of the most expensive and sought-after wines globally.
History
Le Pin, a renowned wine estate in Pomerol, Bordeaux, has a relatively short but significant history. The property was owned by Madame Laubie from 1924 to 1978, during which time the grapes were sold or blended to produce other fine but undistinguished Pomerol wines[2][3]. In 1979, Jacques Thienpont, a member of the Thienpont family, purchased the 2-hectare estate for one million French francs, a substantial amount at the time[1][2][4]. The estate was in poor condition, with a small, underequipped cellar and a dilapidated house.
Under Jacques Thienpont's management, Le Pin began to flourish. The first vintage of Le Pin was released in 1979, but it was not until the 1982 vintage that the wine gained international recognition. Robert Parker's effusive praise for the 1982 Le Pin catapulted the wine to fame, making it one of the most expensive unclassified Bordeaux wines[1][2][3]. The Thienpont family continued to expand the estate, adding more land and modernizing the winery. In 2012, a new winery designed by Belgian architects Robbrecht & Daem was completed, featuring modern facilities and temperature-controlled vats[1][2][3]. Today, Le Pin is renowned for its 100% Merlot wines, known for their exotic and concentrated flavors.
Terroir
The terroir of Chateau Le Pin is characterized by a unique and complex soil composition. The vineyard is situated on the Pomerol plateau, where the soil consists of a mix of gravel, clay, and sandy topsoil. This blend provides excellent drainage, which is further enhanced by a pocket of gravel running five to 10 meters deep. The high proportion of iron oxide, known as "crasse de fer," in the soil contributes to the vineyard's fantastic drainage and helps Le Pin perform well in wetter vintages[2][4].
The vineyard's south-facing orientation ensures good sun exposure, leading to early ripening of the Merlot grapes. This warm site provides significant benefits, particularly in poorer, cooler vintages. The combination of these factors results in a terroir that is notably different from surrounding vineyards, contributing to the distinctive character of Le Pin's wines[2][3].