Chateau Le Pin 2023

100 POINTS

Peter Moser - Falstaff

Deep ruby, purple reflections, delicate brightening at the rim. Delicate floral notes of fresh red cherry, a hint of liquorice, a hint of clove, some currant and mandarin zest, very delicate bouquet. Juicy, elegant, complex, creamy tannins, fine dark cherry fruit, persistent extract sweetness, blackberry on the finish, shows a silky texture, lingers for minutes, dark berry aftertaste, fine chocolate touch, a kind of Musigny from Bordeaux, great class.

99 POINTS

James Suckling

Shows the exotic nature of Le Pin with blackberries, milk chocolate and hints of spices, as well as coffee beans from the ripe seeds in the grapes. It's medium-bodied with focused and creamy tannins. Also plenty of nectarine and clementine character. This is so classic Le Pin at the finish. It lasts for minutes in your mouth. Silky and flavorful. 100% merlot magic. Points: 99-100

98 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2023 Le Pin was picked between September 11 and 23 at 39hL/ha—four pickings according to age of vine and plot. It matured in 65% new oak (this figure has gradually reduced since the 2020 vintage). They had no mildew, due to the free-draining gravel soils, though the Thienponts saw more at L'If. I love this nose. This is so pure and refined, it seems to embrace and gently hug the senses, like your favorite aunt or uncle. It blossoms in the glass to reveal subtle crushed stone and graphite notes. The palate has unerring symmetry, finely chiseled tannins and a linear, penetrating finish that goes on and on. This is one of the best vintages of Le Pin I have tasted from barrel, more serious and more floral than some recent vintages.

98 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2023 Le Pin is all sensuality. Rich, deep and explosive, the 2023 possesses notable depth. It is an especially exuberant, dense Le Pin. Dark-toned fruit, iron, leather, scorched earth and incense gradually unfurl in the glass. The long, sustained finish is suggestive of what is certain to be a very bright future. I tasted the 2023 from the en primeur blend and then directly from barrels crafted by Seguin-Moreau, the historical cooper of choice here, and Taransaud, a more recent addition. I found young wines of tremendous freshness and verve. This is a magnificent showing from Jacques Thienpont, Fiona Morrison MW and Guillaume Thienpont.

97 POINTS

Georgina Hindle - Decanter

A floral and opulent nose; irises, and strongly-scented dark fruits - plums, blackcurrants and black cherries. Really very expressive aromatics, opulent and forward. Smooth and silky, really caressing and gentle, smooth and delicate, the power is there underneath but subtly while the ripe dark black and cool blue fruit makes most of its mark. The florality and clear iron (really accentuated in a cool vintage) is fully apparent, minerality is also very present with black sticky, spicy liquorice and graphite. It’s a more serious Le Pin, certainly than the 2022, this has muscle but slightly hidden, it’s firm and nicely structured but has edges of spice, tobacco and dark chocolate as well as bite and tang but all with an elevated elegance. Serious but sophisticated and confident. Ageing 65% new, 35% once used barrels. Instead of 100%. Extracted one third less this vintage. 3.75pH.