Le Pin (Pomerol) 2014

Pomerol, First Growth

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Tasting Notes

The 2014 Le Pin has held on to its outgoing and potent bouquet with red plummy fruit, shavings of black truffle and sous-bois. Curiously, it has an almost Burgundian-like allure. Wonderful definition, however. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy ripe tannins, a mouth-filling Pomerol that doesn't fully deliver the complexity and nuance of other vintages, notwithstanding a bit of dryness right on the finish. A fine Pomerol, one I would drink over the next 15 years, but other vintages will outlast it.

Score: 93

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2024-2042 01 February 2024

The 2014 Le Pin has a really quite lovely bouquet. Tasted alongside its "cousin" Vieux-Château-Certan, it is more exotic and outgoing, yet it maintains fine delineation and complexity with upfront blueberry and black cherry fruit, quite a noticeable menthol note emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet and embracing entry, caressing in texture thanks to the succulent tannin, though these are counterpoised by the silver bead of acidity. There is just a touch of salted licorice that pops up on the finish. To quote Alexandre Thienpont (since Jacques and Fiona had to be in Belgium), this is a "classic" Le Pin, though I feel it will be overshadowed by the 2015.

Score: 93

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2045 31 March 2017

Jacques Thienpont told me that the Le Pin 2014 was picked between 23 and 30 September at a yield of 24 hectoliter per hectare. The wine has 13% alcohol and a pH of 3.5. Of course, its gravelly soils would have been beneficial in coping with the rain compared to those on less well-drained clay soils. It has a well-defined, focused bouquet that is not as complex as a top vintage Le Pin but there is a pleasant underlying mineralité that I believe will be expressed in bottle. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy tannin, a little pinched on the mid-palate with a very linear finish with a saline, citrus fresh finish. This is one of the most tensile vintages that I have tasted in recent years: not as complex as others (and I've tasted them all except the four barrels of 2013), but it is full of nascent energy. Rather than thinking of this as Le Pin, it’s just a supremely well-crafted Pomerol.

Score: 92 - 94

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2035 01 April 2015

A ravishing red that pours out aromas of crushed raspberries, blueberries and dried flowers. Black truffle skins and undertones of violets. Full-bodied yet so tight and refined with incredible finesse and polish. The beauty and chic runs on for minutes on the finish. A truly endless and breathtakingly harmonious wine. It just rolls off the palate. Drink in 2022.

Score: 98

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 13 February 2017

Very subtle and refined with an ethereal fruit and stealth character. Medium body, integrated tannins and a delicate fruit, mineral and fresh herb aftertaste. A gorgeous pure merlot.

Score: 93 - 94

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 27 March 2015

Dense crimson. Very meaty indeed on the nose. Heady and ripe. Broad and luscious. More ripe and intense initially than any other 2014 I have tasted so far but then a cool finish with lots of sweetness. Very polished. Lift and plushness. But the elements need to come together.

Score: 17 - 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2025-2038 15 April 2015

The 2014 Le Pin is a stratospheric, deeply moving wine. Here, the gravelly soils allowed for excellent drainage and gave the Thienpont family all the conditions needed for a late harvest. Rich, powerful and voluptuous in the glass, the 2014 boasts superb depth and concentration to match its exuberant personality. A deep, sensual wine, in 2014 Le Pin has it all. Hints of lavender, violets, plums and cassis are layered into the spellbinding finish. In 2014, this is just about as good as it gets.

Score: 94 - 97

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 01 April 2015