"The 2021 Le Pin has turned out beautifully in bottle, bursting with aromas of raspberries and blackberries mingled with notions of pencil shavings, spices, black truffle and licorice, framed by a discreet touch of new oak (only 55% new this year). Medium to full-bodied, ample and enveloping, it's suave and sensual, with a fleshy core of fruit and beautifully refined tannins and concludes with a long, rose-inflected finish. Le Pin, after all, is an early-ripening, well-drained terroir, so it's hardly surprising that it should perform especially well in a vintage like 2021. Drink 2027-2047." William Kelley Feb 2024

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"The complexity of the wine shows incredible aromas of perfectly ripe tannins and fresh flowers such as lavender and rose stem. Mineral. Stone. Hints of wet earth and fresh bark. Subtle and complete. So much incredible character. Concentrated center palate. Weightless at the end. Perfect wine. You want to drink the bottle but it will age for decades." tasted May 2023

99 points | The Wine Independent

"Le Pin 2020 has a deep garnet-purple color. It starts off a little subdued before erupting from the glass with powerful notes of plum preserves, blackberry compote, dark chocolate, smoked meats, and Indian spices, leading to touches of crushed rocks, black truffles, and cast-iron pan. The medium to full-bodied palate is densely laden with taut, muscular fruits, framed by very firm, ripe, rounded tannins and wonderful tension, finishing very long with loads of mineral and savory layers. Epic!" Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW March 2023

94 points | Wine Advocate

"This estate occupies a well-draining, early-ripening site, and the 2020 Le Pin is certainly marked by the warmth and sunshine of the vintage, offering up a rich bouquet of jammy plums, kirsch, figs and licorice framed by a generous application of creamy new oak. Full-bodied, broad and expansive, it's rich and gourmand, with a layered mid-palate framed by plenty of powdery structuring tannin. While it can't match the purity and precision of the 2019, it's a strong effort." William Kelley April 2023

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"An explosion of fruit and exotic spice, as is so often the case with this wine. I am tasting this at a relatively cold temperature and yet still the tannins are silky, creamy and supple, extremely impressive. As it opens, campfire smoke, hints of petrol and passion fruit, nuanced black truffle, rosemary, blueberry and black cherry fruits. This is perfumed and envelops the palate, coming in waves, just a brilliant Le Pin. 100% new oak."

97 points | RobertParker.com

"The Le Pin 2019 is a rich, expansive wine that soars from the glass with aromas of raspberry preserve, plums, wild berries, rose petals and licorice, framed by a deftly judged patina of creamy new oak. Full-bodied, supple and velvety, it's broad and enveloping, with a fleshy core of fruit that's framed by lively acids and powdery tannins, concluding with a long, aromatic finish. Rich in gravel on the surface, Le Pin's vines are rooted in clay, which no doubt helps to explain how this wine can perform so well in warm, dry vintages. As is the norm these days, the 2019 was matured in 70% new oak. Drink Date 2025 - 2055" tasted by William Kelley April 2022

98 points | The Wine Independent

"The Le Pin 2019, 100% Merlot, is deep garnet-purple in color. It gallops out with energetic notes of crushed black and red cherries, wild blueberries, and forest floor, giving way to suggestions of cast-iron pan, menthol, and damp soil. The full-bodied palate delivers a fantastically earthy/minerally palate with beautiful harmony and velvety tannins, finishing long and layered." tasted Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW May 2023

18 points | Jancis Robinson

"Tasted blind. Cool and fresh and savoury with a certain treacly intensity. Slightly sandy, drying tannins on the end. In a minor key compared with some of the greats. But quite subtle and satisfying. 14.5% Drink 2027– 2043" tasted Feb 2023

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"The density and texture to this Le Pin 2018 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." (tasted April 2019)

98 points | Decanter

"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. 2019, by the way, is the 40th anniversary vintage here for the Thienponts. Drinking Window 2026 - 2040." Jane Anson tasted April 2019

97 / 99 points | Wine Advocate

"The Le Pin 2018 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 savoury." Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW April 2019

18 points | Janis Robinson MW

Le Pin 2018 was "Tasted blind. Blackish crimson. High toned. Really very well composed with sweetness and tea leaves and no excess of tannins. Quite spicy. Smooth with a suggestion of cough linctus. Long. Drink 2026 – 2044" (tasted Feb 2022)

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"This Le Pin 2017 is extremely linear and compact with tight, polished tannins that flow down the center of the palate. Full-to medium-bodied, succulent and tangy with orange-peel and hazelnut undertones. Dusty and polished at the same time. Superb length. Drink after 2022."

97 pints | The Wine Independent

"The Le Pin 2017 is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It opens up into an evocative aria of Morello cherries, black raspberries, juicy blackberries, and lilacs, with touches of star anise, lavender, cast iron pan, and peat moss, plus a hint of dried roses. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is beautifully poised with satiny tannins and a lively line lifting the intense, perfumed black and red fruits, finishing long and fragrant. Although it would be a shame to drink it now, it is so very tempting. If you do so, Jacques Thienpont (the owner) recommends at least a 3 hour decant." (tasted by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW December 2022)

94 points | Decanter

19+ points | Matthew Jukes

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