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Le Pin (Pomerol) 2011

Pomerol, First Growth

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Tasting Notes

Caramelized fruit, coffee bean, espresso, black cherry liqueur, licorice and spice aromas jump from the glass of this dark ruby/plum-colored wine. Concentrated and silky-textured, this full-bodied, voluptuous wine is a brilliant example of the 2011 vintage. Give it 2-4 more years in the bottle and enjoy it over the next 15 or more.

Score: 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2016-2031 01 April 2014

Coming in at 13.3% natural alcohol, this 2011 is a blockbuster Pomerol revealing loads of black currant, kirsch, and raspberry fruit intermixed with hints of licorice, spring flowers and spicy, smoky oak. As always, there is an exoticism to this dense purple-colored offering, and its opulence and flamboyance are hard to resist. This stunningly proportioned, flamboyant Pomerol is somewhat atypical for the vintage. It should drink well for 15+ years. The Thienpont family, the proprietors of Le Pin, picked their Merlot on September 12-13. The tiny crop was a result of difficulty during flowering, a few days of extreme heat at the end of June, and the overall drought conditions that have persisted through March, 2012.

Score: 94 - 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2027 27 April 2012

The Le Pin 2011 was picked on 12th and 13th September at 35hl/ha and it has 13.3% alcohol with a pH of 3.7. More importantly, it is the first vintage to be vinified at Jacques Thienpont’ new winery facility equipped with 15 to 45 hectolitre stainless steel vats. It has a wonderful purity on the nose that reminds me of a fine Burgundy! It has very pure small red cherries and a touch of strawberry with amazing precision and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a strict entry. It is slightly pinched at the moment, a saline touch on the entry with a touch of black olive. Compared to other vintages that I have tasted at this stage, it is a little disjointed and showing some hardness towards the finish. I think this Le Pin was not showing its best on the day and that others may find a little more from it. I will seek to re-taste this at a later moment. Tasted April 2012.

Score: 89 - 91

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 April 2012

First vintage in the new, neat and architecturally simple but elegant cellar, all sun-reflecting limestone and reassuring oak doors, attractive angles within and without. Just in time for the 2011 vintage. Harvested 12-13 September (early ripeness on gravel allowing retention of freshness, says Fiona Morrison MW, aka Mrs Jacques Thienpont). Yield 35 hl/ha. Pumping over only in the early part of fermentation, again to retain freshness, then the wine was left alone. Deep rich black cherry colour. Gently toasty nose, essentially red fruited and just a little perfumed. Fine, seemingly gentle tannins. Marked by scented freshness, making it hard not to make some reference to burgundy, though the tannins are denser. As with so many in 2011, alcohol was almost 1% lower than in 2010, changing the balance and increasing the wine's approachability. (JH) 13.3%

Score: 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2030 23 April 2012

Restrained and elegant in style. Great purity of fruit, a silky texture and tannins and a very long finish. Somewhat in the mould of the 2006 and 2008?

Score: 17 - 18

Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2020-2030 16 April 2012

Delivers dark, captivating black tea, fig and plum notes, with nicely rounded flesh and a long, smoldering feel. The tannins sneak up slowly but are prevalent in the end, with a loamy hint emerging steadily through the finish, which opens slowly and forcefully. This is very solid and among the top wines of the vintage. Tasted non-blind.

Score: 93 - 96

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 11 April 2012

Gorgeous nose of blueberries and flowers such as roses. Full-bodied, with racy tannins and citrus acidity. Minerally too. This is firm and lanky for Le Pin. Normally a little more voluptuous but not an easy vintage for Merlot. It was picked the 9th and 10th of September. Pure Merlot.

Score: 92 - 93

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 01 April 2012