Le Pin 2018

robert_parker99

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

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.

vinous98

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

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.

vinous97

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2018 Le Pin is dense, rich and seductive, with all of the textural richness that is such a signature. Le Pin is, of course, 100% Merlot fermented entirely in new oak. There is a touch of new wood in the en primeur sample that needs time to fully assimilate, which I expect will not be a problem over time. More than anything else, I am impressed with the wine's freshness and overall energy. The 2018 comes in 14.5% alcohol, the highest ever here, and yet that is not especially evident. A closing burst of floral overtones and red/purplish berry fruit leaves a lasting impression.

vinous0

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2018 Le Pin is dense, rich and seductive, with all of the textural richness that is such a signature. Le Pin is, of course, 100% Merlot fermented entirely in new oak. There is a touch of new wood in the en primeur sample that needs time to fully assimilate, which I expect will not be a problem over time. More than anything else, I am impressed with the wine's freshness and overall energy. The 2018 comes in 14.5% alcohol, the highest ever here, and yet that is not especially evident. A closing burst of floral overtones and red/purplish berry fruit leaves a lasting impression.

vinous97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

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.

vinous97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

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.