Le Pin

"Le Pin has taken on a mythical reputation... There have been some great vintages of this wine, which possesses one of the most dramatic and ostentatious bouquets of any Bordeaux. Additionally, the micro-production of 500-600 cases guarantees a chic rarity that has also helped propel the price to astronomical levels." — Robert Parker

Despite its relatively short history, Le Pin has skyrocketed to the top of Pomerol's qualitative hierarchy, producing one of the world's most coveted Merlots. The chateau operates as a small garagiste, with less than 3 hectares in size, yet challenges neighboring giants like Petrus as the region's greatest chateau. Today, Le Pin is masterfully guided by Alexandre Thienpont, who firmly carries his family's winemaking legacy and brings exceptional expertise from Vieux Chateau Certan. 

The History of Le Pin

Le Pin is one of Bordeaux's youngest major estates, having been first established in 1924 by Madame Loubie. Named after one large pine tree that sits on the vineyard, Loubie and her family began with just one hectare and largely sold the harvested fruit to local negociants, very rarely crafting any wine. The chateau remained in the Loubie family's hands until 1979, when Madame Loubie passed away. Consequently, Jacques Thienpont, a Belgian wine merchant, purchased the chateau, kickstarting Le Pin's modern history.

Thienpont quickly upgraded Le Pin's status with the release of the 1982 vintage, only Le Pin's third vintage under his guidance. The 1982 Le Pin quickly gained notoriety thanks to a 100-point score from Robert Parker, who stated, "This is Bordeaux at its most ostentatious and exotic." The combination of Parker's eye-catching rating and the limited production (less than 400 cases were produced) swiftly made Le Pin a favorite for Bordeaux collectors. 

Following the legendary 1982 Le Pin, the chateau remained a Bordeaux superstar, earning a prominent reputation for its rarity on the market and extraordinarily high prices. After decades in ownership, Jacques Thienpont later transferred responsibility to his cousin, Alexandre, who now leads the winemaking with the newly promoted Diana Berrouet Garcia, who recently earned her position in 2025. 

Chateau Le Pin Pomerol Terroir

Chateau Le Pin's iconic 2.7 hectare vineyard is located at the heart of the Pomerol plateau near the Catusseau village. The vineyard sits on a southern-facing exposure on well-draining gravelly clay and sandy soils, with minuscule traces of iron. Its vines were largely planted in the 1950s, averaging 35 years of age, and planted to 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc. 

Much of Le Pin's vineyard was acquired after the Thienponts became owners, as Jacques Thienpont first purchased a neighboring 0.3 hectare plot in 1984, followed by an additional 0.65 hectares over the following years. Today, the vineyard comprises seven contiguous plots, with isolated plantings of Cabernet Franc littered throughout the site.

For much of Le Pin's lifetime, no winery existed, and instead, the wine was crafted in a quaint building adjacent to the vineyard. Then, in 2015, Le Pin's winery was completed by renowned Belgian architect Paul Robbrecht and was largely inspired by the wineries of Chateau Pichon Baron and Chateau Latour. The new winery features a 23-foot-high tower, a cellar that is 60% below ground, and an exquisite tasting room and roof terrace. 

Le Pin Wine Style and Tasting Notes

Le Pin wine has largely become a favorite among Bordeaux drinkers for its subversion of the region's classical style. Noted for its opulence and richness, Le Pin wine is extravagantly decadent, flamboyant, and exotic, showing remarkable aromatic complexity of sweet plum, fig, and caramel, and rose petal, spice, and dark berry notes on the palate. 

Le Pin is made in notoriously small allocations, as only 400-600 cases are produced each vintage. Additionally, the Thienpont's meticulous harvesting ensures low yields, with fruit deemed unworthy of the Grand Vin allotted to the sibling label, Trilogie, a multi-vintage blend of 3 years of declassified fruit.

Add Chateau Le Pin To Your Collection

As one of the world's most sought-after and highly-regarded wines, Le Pin wine is a true unicorn within the wine world, deserving of any prestigious cellar. View our selection of in-stock Chateau Le Pin wine and acquire a bottle for your collection today.