2023 Chateau Le Pin, Pomerol

Glorious aromas of violets, black olives, bark, graphite, orange peel and menthol. Medium-bodied with incredible complexity and intensity. Flavors of dark berries and dried herbs such as thyme, oregano, rosemary and some spearmint, with touches of oak, chocolate, foie gras and slightly exotic fruit at the end. A contemporary masterpiece that transcends it origins. Pure merlot. Drink or hold.

100 points James Suckling

A floral and opulent nose; irises, and strongly-scented dark fruits - plums, blackcurrants and black cherries. Really very expressive aromatics, opulent and forward. Smooth and silky, really caressing and gentle, smooth and delicate, the power is there underneath but subtly while the ripe dark black and cool blue fruit makes most of its mark. The florality and clear iron (really accentuated in a cool vintage) is fully apparent, minerality is also very present with black sticky, spicy liquorice and graphite. It’s a more serious Le Pin, certainly than the 2022, this has muscle but slightly hidden, it’s firm and nicely structured but has edges of spice, tobacco and dark chocolate as well as bite and tang but all with an elevated elegance. Serious but sophisticated and confident. Ageing 65% new, 35% once used barrels. Instead of 100%. Extracted one third less this vintage. 3.75pH.

97 points Decanter

Few Bordeaux estates inspire quite the same fascination as Château Le Pin. Founded in 1979 when Jacques Thienpont acquired a tiny vineyard in Pomerol, this extraordinary property has become one of the world's most coveted and expensive wines. Its precious Merlot vines grow on gravelly, sandy soils with iron rich deposits, producing remarkable concentration and a distinctive silky texture. Jacques and his son Guillaume Thienpont oversee this tiny production estate, where every vintage is eagerly pursued by collectors.

Deep ruby purple with an almost opaque heart. Black cherry, ripe plum and cassis mingle with violets, dark chocolate, truffle and delicate cedar spice. The 2023 vintage combines remarkable richness with beautifully refined tannins, vibrant freshness and a long, fragrant finish. There's an almost effortless elegance beneath its concentration, with the velvety texture and extraordinary persistence that define great Pomerol.

Magnificent with roast squab and black truffle, slow braised beef cheek with Madeira, or a wild mushroom and chestnut pithivier. A legendary Bordeaux deserving of a truly special occasion.

Cellaring: 2030 to 2055+. An exceptional collector's wine with decades of development ahead.