Chateau Le Pin

Thanks to excellent quality combined with scarcity, and comparisons with First Growths, Petrus and the like, the price of Chateau Le Pin has rocketed towards the stratosphere since its first vintage in 1979. Le Pin, we assume, was named for the pine trees that stand adjacent to the property. This is a Pomerol superstar always in huge demand, yet like many Pomerol estates, Le Pin is not grand; the single vineyard of 100% Merlot sits behind a modest house. It is owned by the Theinpont family who are a well established wine dynasty in Bordeaux. They took over from Madame Loubie who passed away having sold the wine as generic Pomerol from only 1924. The quantity produced is small; 500-700 cases, it is therefore not surprising that the tiny output commands a high price in view of the wine's legendary status. The wines are impressive, seductive, rich and yet always balanced.