Le Pin 2016

James Suckling

Aromas of tobacco, dark chocolate, dried herbs and tar. The palate is medium-bodied, showing ethereal fruit and polished tannins, with an elegant, seamless texture that gently unfolds across the palate. Elegance is key, and it will evolve toward an even more delicate expression. Drink or hold. 10 Years On retrospective.

Christer Byklum

Andreas Larsson - Tasted

Perfumed almost burgundian, with lovely purity and intensity offering layers of fresh raspberry, cassis, fine spices, modest oak and damp tobacco. Very flavour intense, dense and vigorous with a non-intrusive concentration, extremely polished, glossy and silky texture with an abundance of refined tannin. Remarkably long and persistent finish, graceful and tight with fine proportions and balance, still a youthful wine needing time to gain further complexity but unquestionnably a very complete wine with perfect proportions.

Wine Spectator

Jane Anson - Inside Bordeaux

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Le Pin is still very closed, revealing glimpses of preserved plums, blackberry pie and raspberry compote plus suggestions of potpourri, star anise, tobacco, fenugreek and stewed tea plus a waft of hoisin. The medium-bodied palate is opulent, rich and plush with layers of black and red fruit preserves and loads of exotic spice accents, finishing very long and very decadent.

Jeb Dunnuck

From Jacques Thienpont and a true superstar in the vintage, the 2016 Le Pin comes from a tiny vineyard of old vine Merlot and is raised all in new barrels. One of those magical wines that marries power with elegance perfectly, its saturated purple color is followed by a thrilling array of sweet kirsch, crème de cassis, graphite, toasty oak, and Asian spices. Hitting the palate with full-bodied richness and depth as well as an incredible mid-palate, it stays ethereal and elegant, with flawless tannins, awesome purity, and a blockbuster of a finish. The sexiest, kinkiest, most opulent wine in the vintage? I’d say yes. Do your best to hide bottles for 4-6 years, count yourself very lucky, and drink bottles over the following 3+ decades.

VInous

The 2016 Le Pin has a beguiling bouquet with blackberry, sage, terracotta and hints of dark chocolate, very succinct and exquisitely defined. The palate is framed by filigree tannins, perfect acidity, fluid and lithe, with a long yet tender finish that lingers in the mouth. Maybe I would have liked a bit more grip? Otherwise, absolutely delicious, albeit built in a more precocious style. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.