Le Pin 1994

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

This micro-estate is easy to criticize given the absurd prices ($8,000-$12,000 per case!) the 500 or so cases fetch in the auction markets. Le Pin is one of the most exotic, concentrated, flashy wines of Bordeaux, but when it is selling at six times the price of wines such as Clinet, La Conseillante, L'Evangile, and La Fleur de Gay, readers are justified in thinking that some wine buyers have lost their sense of reality. Compared to its older sibling, the 1993, the 1994 Le Pin is a more reserved, less flamboyant and ostentatious wine. It reveals a healthy dark ruby/purple color, spicy, sweet oak, and a silky, opulent entry, but it is a more structured, concentrated, medium to full-bodied Le Pin with layers of fruit, moderate tannin, and a long, rich, jammy finish. Once again, new oak, outstanding purity, and a luscious mouthfeel account for the impressive showing of this wine in blind tastings.

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Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted blind as a vintage comparison at the Valandraud vertical, the 1994 Le Pin has always been one of Jacques Thienpont's great successes. It has a broody nose of mulberry, cola, tobacco, mint and undergrowth that feels just a little static at first, but begins to loosen up in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp and focused, fully mature but with more than enough freshness, segueing into a structured and lightly spiced finish with dry tobacco lingering on the aftertaste. There is weight and intention here, a Pomerol undiminished by time and a quite brilliant wine in the context of the vintage. The 1994 is the "insiders' choice." Tasted December 2016.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

A beautiful 1994, and certainly one of the best wines of the vintage, this medium-bodied Le Pin shows notes of sweet oak intermixed with espresso bean, vanilla, black cherry, licorice, and white chocolate. The wine is medium-bodied, has moderately high tannin, but a luscious, sweet, succulent attack before the tannins begin to kick in. It is hard to peg the actual plateau of maturity of this wine, which seems evolved and complex aromatically but then has still plenty of tannin to shed. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2016. Last tasted, 5/02.

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Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted blind at The Arches. This, for me, is the wine of the vintage, one of Jacques Thienpont’s greatest successes on the context of the growing season. It has a spellbinding mineral-rich nose, developing floral accents with aeration that juxtapose nicely against the hints of pine cone and wild heather. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine tannins, a silky texture and a florid red berry finish that caresses the mouth. It is so finely poised and demonstrates outstanding length and composure. Superb. Tasted February 2012.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

This micro-estate has turned out two brilliant wines in 1994 and 1995. The 1994 is the typically exotic, lavishly-oaked, ostentatious style of Le Pin that drives the "status quo at all costs" traditionalists berserk. But the wine wins accolades from those without any fixed, dogmatic positions on wine. Dark ruby-colored, this spicy, ripe, medium to full-bodied wine reveals tremendous sweetness of fruit on the palate, a creamy texture, and a long, spicy, low acid, extremely smooth and silky finish. Although accessible, this wine will firm up and put on additional weight after several years in the bottle. All of the wines in this segment were tasted between March 19 and March 28 in Bordeaux. Most of the important wines from both the 1994 and 1995 vintages were tasted three separate times during my ten-day stay in Bordeaux.

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

After several uninspiring efforts, Le Pin has performed beautifully in the 1994 vintage, fashioning a wine that may ultimately be better than the 1989 and 1990. It is rare that I bestow Le Pin such a high score at this stage, as it is a wine that fattens up and becomes more complex during the first 5-6 years of its aging curve. To date, most vintages have tasted significantly better in bottle than in cask, a la Cheval Blanc and a handful of other Bordeaux wines. The 1994 exhibits Le Pin's sexy, telltale, exotic, pain grillee nose intertwined with lavish quantities of overripe, jammy black-cherries and cassis. It possesses an addictive sweetness and thick, juicy fruit presented in a fleshy, medium to full-bodied style with no hard edges. This wine is about as sexy and opulent as a 1994 can be. Given this thrilling showing, it should be drinkable when released and capable of lasting for 15-20 years.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at Bipin Desai’s Le Pin vertical in Los Angeles. This is a great Le Pin, perhaps the “dark horse” of the decade. Very clear in colour. The nose is very generous with touches of game and sandalwood developing in the glass, although it remains foursquare. Medium-bodied on the palate it exudes harmony and focus, great precision, a little reserved at first and opening reluctantly. Firm tannins, superb acidity with tobacco and cedar towards the finish. There is a sense of completeness intrinsic to this wine, a natural sense of ease that is beguiling. Outstanding for the vintage. Drink now-2020. Tasted November 2008.