2022 Le Pin - Pomerol AC

Decanter.com – 97 pts – GH: *Concentrated fruit, ripe blackcurrants and soft bramble touches with delicate perfumed aromas on the nose. Smooth and supple, more straight and sleek than the nose suggests with an appealing hit of mouthwatering acidity on the mid palate giving life and energy balanced by an intense saline minerality that gives edges to the firm tannins. This opens after a few minutes, becoming more expressive and complex adding graphite, cocoa, liquorice, flint, floral touches and succulent red fruits to the mix. Poised, happy, joyful, captivating and lively. Very impressive. Doesn't quite carry the weight of others but this is stunning with a lightness of touch and extreme polish. 3.77pH. 3.0g/L total acidity. Ageing in barrels, 65% new, 35% one wine. Harvest 6 - 17 September. A yield of 29hl/ha.* - 04/2023

WeinWisser – 20/20pts – GL, TW: *100 % Merlot, 14.4 Vol.-%, pH 3.77, 29 hl/ha. Was für eine unglaubliche Intensität dieser Le Pin hat: frisch gepflückte Walderdbeere, Himbeermark, Schattenmorellensaft, betörender Irisduft, getrockneter Rosmarin und Oregano – wie eine Mille-feuille. Am sublimen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, kakaoartigem Tanningerüst, tänzerischer Rasse, mineralischem Kern sowie einem perfekt modellierten Körper. Im konzentrierten Finale explodiert der Pomerol und endet mit einem Korb von Herzkirschen, edler Cassiswürze und royaler feinkörniger Adstringenz. Gehört neben Trotanoy zu den besten Weinen aus der Appellation. Auf meine spitzbübische Frage, ob das hier der beste Le Pin sei, antwortet Jacques lächelnd: "Nein, ich bin nie zufrieden und möchte mich jedes Mal verbessern!"* – 04/2023

JancisRobinson.com – 18/20pts – JR: *Very deep, glowing crimson. Slightly reticent nose. Sweet and smooth and with an undertow of juicy, candied tobacco leaves! Long and pure. It’s difficult to see the tannins but apparently the IPT (tannin level by analysis) is sufficiently high, thanks to the thick skins, which also promoted colour extraction. Long and deceptively drinkable!* - 04/2023

Vinous.com – (94-97) pts – AG: *The 2022 Le Pin is racy and nicely textured, but it also comes across as somewhat closed. I suspect a sulfur addition three weeks before tasting explains much of the wine's reticence. There is almost certainly more to the 2022 than this tasting suggests. Needless to say, I am very curious to taste this again down the line.* - 04/2023

Vinous.com – (96-98) pts – NM: *The 2022 Le Pin was picked 6 to 17 September at 29hL/ha, pure Merlot as usual matured in 65% new oak. It has a quasi-Burgundian bouquet, extremely pure and floral, fleeting glimpses of blueberry and blackcurrant, very perfumed in style. The palate is medium-bodied with a concentrated, verging on viscous opening that delivers a payload of gorgeous, mineral-rich black fruit. Wonderful balance, velvety in texture, it leans toward a more opulent Le Pin. This disguises the backbone of this wine that should ensure it matures over many years. Seriously fine, though I would take Jacques Thienpont's comparison to the 1945 or 1947 Le Pin with a big pinch of salt.* - 04/2023

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (98-100) pts – JL: *Quite floral in nature, it is the vivacious nature, sensuality, and freshness in the fruits that stand out. Picture, velvety-textured, black plums with dark chocolate, saffron, orange peel, cumin and black raspberries that caress and paint your palate with layers of fruit. There is a sublime sense of purity, paired with elegance and vivacity that sticks with you in the precise finish for close to 60 seconds. Produced from 100% Merlot, 14.4% ABV, 3.77 pH, the harvest took place September 6 - September 17. Yields were only 29 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2026-2055.* - 05/2023