Le Pin

Le Pin

Classification: Grand Cru
Le Pin is one of the most sought after wines in the world and is a tiny vineyard. It is considered by some to be the predecessor of garage wines. Although wines from the Pomerol appellation are not classified, Le Pin ranks as a First Growth. Le Pin is a tiny vineyard on the Right Bank of the Gironde Estuary near the hamlet of Catusseau. The estate was sold in 1979 by Madame Loubie, whose family had owned the plots since 1924, to the Belgian Thienpont family. Madame Loubie had sold the wines as generic Pomerol but the Thienponts recognised the wonderful terroir of the vineyard and named the property Le Pin after the pine tree that grows near the winery. The Theinpont family also own Vieux Château Certan, Larcis Ducasse and Pavie Macquin. Jacques Theinpont owns Le Pin and by acquiring tiny adjoining plots of land, has doubled the size of Le Pin to 5 acres.

The south facing vineyard of Le Pin lies on gravelly clay soil with a little sand and the grapes planted are 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc with an average age of 32 years. Only 500 – 700 cases of wine are produced making the wine hard to acquire due to low production and high international demand.

Wine Style
The wines of Le Pin are rich, lush and exotic which are approachable when young but are best with 7- 10 years of bottle ageing. They have flavours of chocolate, coffee, vanilla, oak, tobacco, and black currant with silky tannins and creamy texture. They should be correctly cellared.

Owner: Jacques Thienpont
Oenologist: Jacques Thienpont / M Rolland