2025 Château Le Pin - 1er OHK

The 2025 Le Pin is a wild, exotic beauty. Deeply layered spice overtones and a kiss of French oak lead into a core of vibrant dark-fleshed fruit. In this tasting, Le Pin comes across as a bit heavy and monolithic, largely because of yields that were just 20 hectoliters per hectare. I am sure those who can taste Le Pin will adore it, but personally, I prefer the greater tension and energy of its sibling, L'If, a much more contemporary wine that also costs about 1/20th the price. Expect the 2025 Le Pin to be rare (only ten barrels produced) and very pricey. The big news at Le Pin is that the estate has added a choice parcel measuring about one hectare planted with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon that formerly belonged to L'Evangile. That will increase Le Pin's planted surface area from two to three hectares (plus another 0.7 hectares that are being redeveloped). Sadly, this is the last vintage made by Guillaume Thienpont. 
- Antonio Galloni (04/2026)

The depth and intensity give incredible energy in this Le Pin at this stage. The plum, dried flower, bark and fresh mushroom character is unique and it continues on the midpalate and finish. It’s endless and sophisticated with an ethereal nature. Transcendental in many ways. Can’t wait to try it from bottle. Two thirds the normal production. Pure merlot. Magic. (04/2026)

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2025 Le Pin (100% Merlot) marches out of the glass with powerful notes of ripe black plums and boysenberries, giving way to a profound core of fertile loam, crushed rocks, iron ore, and anise, soon unfurling to reveal floral notes of roses and lilacs. The medium- to full-bodied palate is coated with dense black fruit flavors, supported by firm, finely grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long with earthy layers. The alcohol is 14% and the pH is 3.79. The yield was a tiny 20 hl/ha. (04/2026)

Picked in just two days, with hand sorting to eliminate any raisined berries, the 2025 Le Pin exhibits aromas of sweet cherries and raspberries along with hints of espresso roast, incense and pencil lead. Medium- to full-bodied, rich and layered, it's velvety, fleshy and enveloping, retaining its flamboyant personality but also displaying the unusual concentration of the vintage. 
- William Kelley (04/2026)