2024 Château Le Pin - 3er OHK

The 2024 Le Pin was picked in four stages between September 20 and 29 at 29 hl/ha, with 65% aged in new oak and the rest in one-year-old oak. All the sorting is done in the vineyard before harvest to eradicate unwanted bunches, then again at a sorting table at the winery reception. It has a relatively light, delineated bouquet of red berry fruit and touches of dark chocolate. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine lattice of tannins. Very elegant and harmonious with a deft touch of white pepper, this is a delightful, slightly ferrous Pomerol that will drink well for 15 to 20 years. It just sashays along without a care in the world. I tasted this on two separate visits. 13.05% abv.

- Neal Martin (04/2025)

This is like the amazing 1994 (a unicorn of the vintage) or the 1990, but more modern and precise. Medium-bodied with a fine, compacted texture, this shows green-olive tapenade and cedar. The tannins are so refined, running the length of the wine. In the 1980s, they used to say this was Burgundy- or pinot-like. It is, and in such a good way. Brings a nice smile to my face. Pure merlot. Only 13 barrels made. (04/2025)

Coming from an early-ripening, well-drained site planted entirely to Merlot, the 2024 Château Le Pin is still resting in two-thirds new oak, a percentage that has been gradually reduced since 2019. Ripe red and black berries, sappy spring flowers, tobacco, and exotic notes of gravelly earth and silex all emerge from the glass. This is a ripe, medium-bodied Le Pin with ultra-fine tannins, a soft, supple, layered mouthfeel, and outstanding length. It's going to offer plenty of upfront appeal yet has the balance and depth to evolve beautifully in bottle. (05/2025)

Deep garnet-purple colored. Erupts from the glass with powerful notes of red currant jelly, fresh blackberries, and Morello cherries, followed by hints of iris, tar, wild sage, and iron ore. The medium-bodied palate is filled with evocative red and black berry flavors, supported by firm, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. (05/2025)

The 2024 Le Pin is showing nicely, offering up aromas of sweet red berries, orange marmalade, cigar box and loamy soil, followed by a medium to full-bodied, sweet and fleshy palate that's layered and expressive, with a sweet core of fruit and an aromatic finish. This attained 13% alcohol without chaptalization and is being matured in 65% new oak.

- William Kelley (04/2025)