Le Pin - Château du Pin - Pomerol 2012

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

par Neal Martin le 28/10/2016

Tasted blind at the Southwold 2012 tasting, 2012 Le Pin put in a very strong performance. It has a strict, graphite-infused bouquet that is strangely Pauillac-like (not a trait I have noticed on other vintages; I wonder whether it is just a passing phase?). This is earthier than its peers, with hints of leather in the background and sous-bois aromas becoming more and more accentuated by time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, elegant and understated in style with a fine line of acidity, harmonious and thankfully not screaming and shouting towards the stylish finish. This is an outstanding wine from Jacques Thienpont that might well be unfairly over-shadowed by the 2009 and 2010. Tasted January 2016.

Vinous

95 / 100

le 31/01/2016

A compelling, totally arresting wine, the 2012 Le Pin boasts superb texture, unctuousness and pure voluptuous beauty. The 2012 is effortless in the way it opens up in the glass, with generous sweet red cherry, plum, iron, smoke and licorice. Perhaps not as rich as some previous vintages, the 2012 is nevertheless racy and quite expressive, even at this early stage.

Wine Spectator

96 / 100

le 31/03/2015

Stunning, with a focused beam of raspberry confiture defining the experience, while anise, blackberry coulis, black tea and incense notes fill the edges. The backdrop is a deep purple velvet curtain, while a long graphite element on the finish melds seamlessly with the lingering raspberry flavors. Delivers breathtaking opulence and definition. Best from 2017 through 2030. —J.M.

Jamessuckling.com

97 / 100

par James Suckling le 15/02/2015

This is the essence of Le Pin with incredible silk texture and beautiful fruit. A berry, sweet-tobacco, chocolate and dusty undertone. It reminds me of many wonderful and underrated Le Pins of the 1980s like 1985 or 1986. What a wine. Better in 2018. But who can wait? Cystal clear. It’s like the 2001 that was always better than 2000.

Wine Spectator

96 / 100

par James Molesworth le 10/02/2015

Stunning, with a focused beam of raspberry confiture defining the experience, while anise, blackberry coulis, black tea and incense notes fill the edges. The backdrop is a deep purple velvet curtain, while a long graphite element on the finish melds seamlessly with the lingering raspberry flavors. Delivers breathtaking opulence and definition. Best from 2017 through 2030. 502 cases made. –JM

timatkin.com

94 / 100

par Tim Atkin MW le 30/06/2013

Jacques Thienpont prefers his 2012 to his 2011, but I found the wine difficult to taste from barrel this year, partly because the oak seemed a little aggressive. For all that, it’s still a very good Le Pin, with the perfume and refinement that distinguishes this cult wine. Focused and sweet with red berry and coffee notes and a hint of greenness. Drink: 2020-35

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

89-92 / 100

par Ian D'Agata le 29/06/2013

(100% merlot; 32 h/H; IPT 77; g/l total acidity; ph 3.8;13.5% alcohol):  Bright ruby-red.  Perfumed aromas of blackberry, flowers and chocolatey torrefaction.  Bright and fresh in the mouth, with sweet black cherry and violet flavors that carry through nicely on the persistent back end.  Finishes with slightly tight tannins that will need time to resolve.  Although I love this wine's purity, I found this version of Le Pin to be noticeably less intense than the best recent vintages.  Perhaps the elevage will help flesh it out a bit.

Le Point

16 / 20

par Jacques Dupont le 16/05/2013

100% merlot. Nez fermé, bouche réglissée, tanins présents assez accorcheurs, plein, riche, assez serré mais sans dureté. O= 2017 G= 15 ans

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

par Neal Martin le 06/05/2013

The Le Pin was cropped between 1st and 3rd October at 32hl/ha and achieved a relatively high IPT of 77. After fifteen day fermentation and a short maceration it was run off into new barrels (Seguin Moreau and Taransaud) on 22nd October. It offers plenty of pure dark cherry, blackcurrant and cassis fruit on the nose with superb delineation and freshness. It opens wonderfully over five or ten minutes offering a subtle brine/black olive note, the oak deftly integrated into the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a hint of dark chocolate on the entry. There is good weight and tension although towards the finish there is a patina of wood that should be subsumed throughout its maturation. This strict, correct and upstanding Le Pin would benefit from a touch of flesh, but it is a stylish Pomerol for sure. Tasted April 2013.

Wine Spectator

94-97 / 100

par James Molesworth le 30/04/2013

Features beautiful raspberry fruit ganache, black licorice and linzer torte notes, with an underlying graphite edge running through the finish. Remarkably lush, lacking the rigid tannins of the vintage. Tasted non-blind. —J.M.

matthewjukes.com

19 / 20

par Matthew Jukes le 30/04/2013

Such energy and drive on the palate this is a fascinating and delicious Le Pin with true class.

Jancis Robinson

18,5 / 20

par Julia Harding MW le 29/04/2013

Drink 2017-2027Very uneven flowering, especially and typically for the older Merlot vines. Very very late harvest (1-3 October). 32 hl/ha, TA 3.3 g/l (sulphuric, ie 5.05 g/l tartaric), pH 3.8, IPT 77. New anti-fraud authentication device. Overall volume 10% down on 2011.Deep dark cherry colour. Extreme fruit purity, crunchy and deep, with a mineral edge and light earthiness to counteract the fruit sweetness. Generous but not fat or slouching. Shows its origin, the well-drained gravel soils, not just the high quality of the fruit. Dry finish but not at all drying. Long and delicious. Very hard to spit even though it is a little after 10 am. (JH) 13.5%

My Bettane + Desseauve

17 / 20

le 26/04/2013

Boisé suave, floral pivoine et violette, gras, ample, texture riche mais avec un tannin cependant assez marqué. Il y a l’exubérance classique du cru, une dimension large mais la finale est plus stricte qu’il n’y parait.

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

par Robert Parker le 26/04/2013

The 2012 Le Pin exhibits a surprisingly opaque purple color, moderately high tannin, deep mocha and jammy berry characteristics, unexpected headiness, an alcoholic blast and lots of glycerin and fruit. This beauty should come into its own in 4-5 years, and last for 15 or more. This 100% Merlot cuvee is a fresher, lighter-styled effort than this estate’s blockbuster 2009 and 2010, but it is surprisingly intense with plenty of weight, clout and class. Yields were a tiny 30 hectoliters per hectare (due to poor flowering and excessive drought), and the wine was produced from fruit harvested between October 2 and 5.Drink: 2017 - 2032

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96 / 100

par Jeff Leve le 26/04/2013

Very floral in character with licorice and black raspberries, silky textures and fresh, ripe berries, this velvety wine is expressive, but lacks the length found in the top vintages. 94-96 Pts

Decanter.com

18,25 / 20

le 22/04/2013

A really elegant Le Pin. Fine, fresh, floral nose. Silky texture and tannins. Discreet but has length, depth and plenty of energy. 18.25/20pts ( 94/100pts)Drink: 2020 - 2032Taster: James Lawther MW

Jean-Marc QUARIN

17 / 20

par Jean-Marc Quarin le 09/04/2013

Couleur sombre, intense et belle. Nez fruité, mûr, frais et crémeux. Bouche toujours aussi caressante, subtile, avec du goût et son toucher unique. Très belle finale parfumée. C'est délicieux et raffiné. Rendement : 32 hl/ha, sélection 70 % de premier vin. 100 % merlot. Alcool : 13°5. pH : 3,8. IPT : 77

Jamessuckling.com

96-97 / 100

par James Suckling le 04/04/2013

This is phenomenal for the vintage. Aromas of roses, blueberries and clay. Full and dense yet it finishes long and agile. It goes on for minutes. Truly a great bottle here. It’s the 2001 in the remake, which was better than 2000. This is 100 percent Merlot. Normally a tiny percent of Cabernet Franc too. Only 500 cases.