le Pin - Pomerol 2018

Vinous

98

par Antonio Galloni le 31/03/2021

A heady, exotic wine, the 2018 Le Pin is rapturous right out of the gate. Waves of intense dark fruit cascade over the senses. The 2018 is a majestic, hypnotically beautiful Pomerol that really dazzles. Inky dark fruit, cherry, menthol, spice and chocolate are all fused together. The 100% new oak, a bit intrusive en primeur, has assimilated nicely. Time in the glass brings out exotic floral and spice notes. Le Pin is beyond my means, and probably beyond most readers' means, but it is undeniably great. And I mean great. 98+

Vinous

97

par Neal Martin le 12/03/2021

Tasting the 2018 Le Pin from barrel, I was intrigued by its Left Bank–like personality on the nose. Now in bottle, though it is not as obvious as before, it still flirts with Médocian traits thanks to its very attractive, very subtle graphite and marine scents. It has wonderful delineation, pixelated and focused. The palate is medium-bodied and demonstrates a touch more tannic spine. Wonderfully focused and detailed, maybe a touch spicier than recent vintages, with disarming harmony and effortlessness. It is self-aware that it is a great Le Pin.

Yvesbeck.wine

99

par Yves Beck le 26/01/2021

Le 2018 se révèle avec beaucoup de finesse, de subtilité et de complexité. Invitantes notes fruitées et minérales avec une précision saisissante. Nuances de framboises et de cerises. L'attaque est ample, intense, racée et compacte. Au vu de cette entrée en matière plutôt démonstrative, Le Pin parvient à révéler de la finesse et à créer une symbiose entre richesse et délicatesse. Cependant, j'ai rarement goûté un Le Pin aussi puissant, voire corsé. Alors qu'il a généralement d'un style plus "bourguignon", il est ici très bordelais, avec une concentration et une densité exceptionnelle. Les tanins parviennent également à faire ressortir leur côté subtil aux grains fins, tandis que la finale est marquée par une rafraîchissante intensité fruitée, au travers de saveurs de baies rouges. La finale est juteuse, intense et persistante. Un Le Pin quelque peu solaire, racé et... fin !

Vinous

95-97

par Neal Martin le 15/11/2019

The 2018 Le Pin, tasted directly from barrel as usual, albeit six months later than primeur, ergo this represents the final blend. This has an intriguing bouquet - much more reserved and almost Left Bank in character with tightly wound black fruit laced with oyster shell and hints of seaweed. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a little more muscular than usual with touches of charcoal and graphite towards the beautifully defined finish. This is an intellectual Le Pin that will be fascinating to taste once in bottle.

WeinWisser

19,5

par Tjark Witzgall le 07/05/2019

Bettane & Desseauve

96

par Bettane & Desseauve le 03/05/2019

On a un merlot qui pinote avec une intensité aromatique dominée par la violette et une texture satinée de grand charme.

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-98

par Jeff Leve le 23/04/2019

Flowers, dried, red pit fruit and a touch of citrus open the nose. The wine is sensuous, even exotic in its texture. Medium-full bodied, there is a touch of chocolate making a cameo and the finish brings in spice and citrus tints to the opulent red fruits. The wine was produced from 100% Merlot reaching 14.5% alcohol. Due to the higher level of alcohol this year cultivated yeasts were used in the fermentation process for the very first time.

Wine Advocate

97-99

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 23/04/2019

The 2018 Le Pin is made of 100% Merlot, picked the last week of September with yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare. The wine has a pH of 3.7, an IPT (total polyphenol index) of 70 and 14.5% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it is a little reserved to begin, offering glimpses of tar, fertile loam and truffles with slowly emerging notes of baked black cherries, stewed plums, mulberries and underbrush plus hints of black pepper, hoisin and chargrill with a waft of garrigue. Full-bodied, the palate is loaded with taut, muscular fruit and heaps of earthy accents, with a firm frame of ripe, rounded tannins and just enough seamless freshness, finishing very long and wonderfully savory.

Decanter.com

98

par Jane Anson le 17/04/2019

This is extremely good, expansive and luxurious with a stunning texture – vibrant and powerful, and a floral side that becomes clear as it opens in the glass, lifting the whole thing not through acidity but through aromatics.

The real difference with Le Pin and other 100% Merlot wines is the sumptuousness through the mid palate, it’s so wide and rich, you can’t just walk over it but lie down on it, feather pillow style.

They had a yield of 30hl/ha, mainly due to thicker than usual skins with some concentration at the finish, and added a selected rather than indigenous yeast to deal with the alcohol levels. 3.7Ph. 70IPT.

2019, by the way, is the 40th anniversary vintage here for the Thienponts.

Jamessuckling.com

98-99

par James Suckling le 11/04/2019

The density and texture to this Le Pin is very surprising. It’s tannic and intense with an angular and stony-mineral undertone. Full-bodied yet energetic and edgy. Great structure. Reminds me of the great 1986.

Jeb DUNNUCK

96-99

par Jeb Dunnuck le 01/03/2019

I’ll taste the 2018 Le Pin from barrel again in April for en primeur, but I was thrilled with this early look, and it appears to be a step up over the 2017. Boasting a vivid purple color and magical notes of kirsch, cassis, and black raspberries, with integrated, high-class oak, it’s full-bodied, has building, sweet tannins, no hard edges, and a pure, sexy, seamless style. Count me impressed.