Owned by Jacques Thienpont since 1979, Château Le Pin is part of the elite wines of the Pomerol appellation. With an extremely limited production and exceptional quality, this mythical estate fascinates Bordeaux lovers around the world. Created from a vineyard of only 2.7 hectares, it embodies the essence of "garage wines", those cuvées produced in very small quantities, yet with incomparable precision and sensuality.

Filters

Price

€2,660.00 - €3,200.00

Region

Bordeaux
(2)

Appellation

Pomerol
(2)

Estate

Le Pin
(2)

Color

Red
(2)

Vintage

Volume

75CL
(2)

Parker WA rating

86 - 100

Burghound rating

No choice available on this group

Revue du Vin de France rating

No choice available on this group

Bettane & Desseauve rating

18 - 18

Prices drop

No choice available on this group

Download this list

There are 2 products.

Download this list

12 in stock

Réf : 108201

Color : Red

Volume : 75cl

Info : Original wood case - Sold by 6

Robert Parker WA : 97-99/100

Add to cart

Bordeaux | Pomerol

Le Pin 2018 OWC

€3,180.00 inc-VAT per bottle

€2,650.00 ex-VAT

12 in stock

Réf : 108200

Color : Red

Volume : 75cl

Info : Original wood case - Sold by 6

Robert Parker WA : 96/100

Wine Spectator : 98/100

Bettane et Desseauve : 18/20

Add to cart

Bordeaux | Pomerol

Le Pin 2017 OWC

€2,670.00 inc-VAT per bottle

€2,225.00 ex-VAT

The TOP winemakers of Bordeaux

Frequently Asked Questions

Château Le Pin is a Pomerol estate of rare singularity: with fewer than 3 hectares of vines planted on deep clay-loam soils, it produces one of the most exclusive and sought-after wines in Bordeaux. Its single grape variety, Merlot, expresses here a velvety richness, a silky texture and a bouquet of remarkable aromatic complexity — truffle, ripe black fruits, violet — which lend it an immediately recognisable personality among the great Pomerol wines.

Among the most iconic vintages of Château Le Pin, several decades stand out in particular. The years 1982, 1990 and 2000 are unanimously acclaimed by enthusiasts as absolute expressions of the estate: maximum concentration, perfect balance between fruit and structure, and impressive longevity. The vintages of 1975 and 1961, for their part, bear witness to the vineyard's ability to produce wines of great ageing potential, even under more challenging climatic conditions.

To bring out the best in a Château Le Pin, it should be served between 16 and 18°C, ideally after decanting for one to two hours for younger vintages, to allow the wine to open up fully. At the table, it pairs elegantly with noble red meats — beef fillet en croûte, roast milk-fed lamb — or preparations featuring black truffle, which resonate perfectly with the wine's tertiary aromas. For older vintages such as those from the 1980s or 1990s, opening the bottle in advance is often sufficient to reveal their full complexity.

If Pomerol is already renowned for its generous and sensual wines, Château Le Pin takes this signature to its pinnacle. Where a Pétrus displays structured, tannic power, Château Le Pin seduces with an almost Burgundian opulence: the colour is deep, the tannins are silkily supple from youth, and the finish is long, creamy, almost enveloping. This hedonistic and immediately accessible style, while retaining an exceptional ageing potential, constitutes the DNA of this unique estate.

Château Le Pin is located at the heart of the Pomerol appellation, on the clay-gravel plateau that constitutes the most sought-after area of this Bordeaux sector. The specificity of the terroir lies in the presence of a layer of blue clay at shallow depth, particularly cold and humid, which slows the ripening of the grapes and promotes an exceptional aromatic concentration. Combined with an ideal exposure and old vines, this geology gives Château Le Pin a distinctive mineral character that can be found as a subtle thread running through every bottle.

Château Le Pin is a relatively recent creation on the Bordeaux scale: the estate was acquired in 1979 by Jacques Thienpont, a Belgian négociant from a family deeply rooted in the Gironde vineyard. Where other châteaux claim centuries of history, Château Le Pin has built its legend in just a few decades, thanks to rigorous viticulture, deliberately limited yields, and highly precise parcel-by-parcel winemaking. Today, the estate remains in the hands of the Thienpont family, faithful to its artisanal philosophy that makes this cult wine so unique.

History of Château Le Pin

Château Le Pin was founded in 1979, thanks to a bold acquisition by Jacques Thienpont. This member of the great Belgian Thienpont family, already owner of Vieux Château Certan in Pomerol, seized the opportunity to purchase a 1-hectare vineyard plot from the Loubie family for one million new francs. Although the sum seemed high at the time, this acquisition proved to be visionary.

The first cuvées were produced under modest conditions, using second-hand barrels from Vieux Château Certan and a single stainless steel vat. Yet, from the 1982 vintage onward, Château Le Pin attracted the attention of the renowned critic Robert Parker, who praised its exotic and concentrated style. Within just a few years, Le Pin became an essential reference, shaking up the market for Bordeaux grands crus.

Through successive acquisitions, Jacques Thienpont expanded the estate, which today covers 2.7 hectares. Renovations to the winery, including the construction of an ultra-modern cellar in 2012, have further enhanced the excellence of the winemaking.

Several vintages of Château Le Pin have been acclaimed by the renowned critic Robert Parker, with outstanding scores. The years 2009, 1982, and 2010 achieved perfection with 100/100, while the 2015 vintage was awarded an impressive 99/100. The 2016, 2001, and 1990 vintages follow closely with a remarkable score of 98/100, attesting to a consistently outstanding quality.

Terroir and Vines of Château Le Pin

The vineyard of Château Le Pin is located at the top of the Pomerol plateau, near prestigious estates such as Petrus and Château Trotanoy. This exceptional terroir rests on clay-gravel and sandy-gravel soils, enriched with ferric deposits. These elements give the wines a unique complexity and minerality, while bringing out the best in merlot, the emblematic grape variety of the appellation.

The vineyard is planted at a density of 6,000 vines per hectare, with vines averaging around 35 years of age, some dating back to the 1950s. Merlot accounts for nearly 98% of the plantings, complemented by a tiny proportion of cabernet franc. Vine pruning is rigorous, and cultivation follows eco-responsible practices with minimal chemical treatments. Grape selection is also highly stringent, ensuring an irreproachable quality of the bunches.

Winemaking at Château Le Pin

The winemaking process at Château Le Pin reflects extreme ambition and attention to detail. The grapes are harvested by hand before being sorted with meticulous precision. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in seven small stainless steel vats, with capacities ranging from 15 to 42 hectoliters. This format allows for optimal micro-vinification, tailored to the different plots of the vineyard.

Château Le Pin is one of the first Bordeaux estates to have adopted malolactic fermentation in new barrels, a technique that brings roundness and complexity to the wine. Aging continues for 18 to 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels, entirely renewed each year. This method gives the wines a refined structure and exceptional aging potential. Vintages deemed insufficient, such as 2003 and 2013, are not released, reflecting the estate's absolute commitment to quality.

The Cuvées of Château Le Pin

Château Le Pin produces exclusively a single cuvée, the result of a blend predominantly made up of merlot (98%) with a touch of cabernet franc (2%). This exceptional wine is distinguished by its aromatic intensity and silky texture.

The characteristics of Le Pin wines are unique: exotic and concentrated aromas of dark fruits (blackcurrant, plum), notes of mocha, toasted bread, and spices, all enveloped in a rich and velvety palate. These wines are designed to be enjoyed young but also possess a remarkable aging potential, extending over several decades.

Le Pin also produces a small range called "Trilogie," a multi-vintage blend made from lots not selected for the grand cuvée. This confidential series, while more accessible, retains the characteristic elegance of the estate.

Pomerol, one of the most prestigious appellations in Bordeaux, has produced some of the finest wines over the decades. The most remarkable vintages include 1970, 1975, 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1990, recognized for their complexity and longevity. Other exceptional years such as 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010 continue to enchant lovers of great wines. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 have confirmed Pomerol's ability to produce wines of exceptional quality, further cementing the reputation of this appellation among the greatest in Bordeaux.

Discover the other great châteaux of Pomerol, true treasures of the Right Bank, where every estate vies for excellence. Beyond the mythical Pétrus, explore prestigious names such as Beauregard, Bon Pasteur, Clinet, Gazin, Haut Trochaud, L'Eglise Clinet, La Conseillante, La Fleur Pétrus, Lafleur, Le Pin, Latour à Pomerol, Nénin, Trotanoy, and Vieux Château Certan. These estates, often compared to the grands crus classés of Saint-Émilion, offer a unique experience, rich in finesse and character, sure to delight lovers of great wines.

Château Le Pin, a symbol of rarity and excellence, has established itself as one of the most iconic wines of Bordeaux. Through Jacques Thienpont's visionary commitment and constant attention to detail, every bottle of Le Pin is a work of art. This estate embodies the perfect balance between innovation and respect for tradition, offering wine lovers an incomparable tasting experience.