Château Le Pin

Château Le Pin is a renowned Bordeaux wine estate located in the Pomerol appellation on the Right Bank of France's Gironde estuary. The vineyard, which extends over 5 acres of sandy gravel topsoil on a bedrock of limestone, is known for its exceptional Merlot grapes, with vines averaging 38 years of age. The estate is recognized for producing some of the world's most expensive red wines, frequently ranking among the most expensive on the global market.

The history of Château Le Pin can be traced back to 1924 when it was owned by the Laubie family, who sold wine under a generic Pomerol label. The first true 'Le Pin' vintage was not until 1979, when it was purchased by the Thienpont family, a dynasty whose legacy is woven through wine-making estates across France and Belgium. The Thienpont family, who also own the neighboring Vieux Château Certan, have played a significant role in developing the estate and its wines.

Under the Thienpont family's stewardship, Château Le Pin has established itself as one of the most desirable and highly-valued fine wine brands in the region. The estate's small size, with an annual production of 400-600 cases, contributes to its exclusivity and rarity, making it a sought-after investment for wine collectors. The Le Pin brand is built on the twin factors of excellence and rarity, with the estate's manager, Alexandre Thienpont, known for his perfectionism and commitment to producing only the very best results.

Château Le Pin is frequently compared to Petrus, another esteemed Pomerol wine, due to their shared appellation and high prices. However, Le Pin is known for being more open, generous, and fruity earlier compared to the characteristically masculine and structured Petrus. The 1982 vintage of Le Pin, in particular, garnered significant attention and praise from wine critics, including Robert Parker, who described the wines as often having a 'gaudy' character and Neal Martin, who characterized them as 'hedonistic'.

In recent years, Château Le Pin has continued to receive high acclaim from wine critics, with the 2009 vintage earning a perfect 100-point score from Robert Parker. This wine is now traded at over £27,000 per case, representing a significant price appreciation since its initial release. The wines of Château Le Pin are considered a safe haven for investors due to their guaranteed demand and limited availability.