This is the essence of Le Pin with incredible silk texture and beautiful fruit. A berry, sweet-tobacco, chocolate and dusty undertone. It reminds me of many wonderful and underrated Le Pins of the 1980s like 1985 or 1986. What a wine. Better in 2018. But who can wait? Cystal clear. It’s like the 2001 that was always better than 2000.

Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2012 Le Pin rolls out with beautiful notions of roses, baked plums, and raspberry preserves, plus hints of wild sage, cedar, and red loam with a ferrous waft. The medium-bodied palate is wonderfully elegant and intense, with firm, rounded tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and so, so minerally.

A beautiful wine, showing slate, crushed rock and pulses of minerality against the silky satiny texture that is signature of Le Pin and the classic brushed velvet tannins of Pomerol. Succulent, limbering up towards its drinking window but will power ahead for another few years. 32hl/h yield.

Stunning, with a focused beam of raspberry confiture defining the experience, while anise, blackberry coulis, black tea and incense notes fill the edges. The backdrop is a deep purple velvet curtain, while a long graphite element on the finish melds seamlessly with the lingering raspberry flavors. Delivers breathtaking opulence and definition. Best from 2017 through 2030. From France. — J.M.

Tasted blind at the Southwold 2012 tasting, 2012 Le Pin put in a very strong performance. It has a strict, graphite-infused bouquet that is strangely Pauillac-like (not a trait I have noticed on other vintages; I wonder whether it is just a passing phase?). This is earthier than its peers, with hints of leather in the background and sous-bois aromas becoming more and more accentuated by time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, elegant and understated in style with a fine line of acidity, harmonious and thankfully not screaming and shouting towards the stylish finish. This is an outstanding wine from Jacques Thienpont that might well be unfairly over-shadowed by the 2009 and 2010. Tasted January 2016. - Neal Martin

The 2012 Le Pin was tasted from magnum at the château. Showing a little bricking on the rim, it has a gorgeous bouquet with red fruit, rusty piping, black truffle and sandalwood, beautifully defined and quite ravishing. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. This is a very mellow Le Pin, lithe and beautifully focused with a fine bead of acidity. The finish has just a little warmth, but it caresses the mouth with a beguiling finish. Evolving beautifully. -- Neal Martin