Aromas of tobacco, dark chocolate, dried herbs and tar. The palate is medium-bodied, showing ethereal fruit and polished tannins, with an elegant, seamless texture that gently unfolds across the palate. Elegance is key, and it will evolve toward an even more delicate expression. Drink or hold. 10 Years On retrospective.
From Jacques Thienpont and a true superstar in the vintage, the 2016 Le Pin comes from a tiny vineyard of old vine Merlot and is raised all in new barrels. One of those magical wines that marries power with elegance perfectly, its saturated purple color is followed by a thrilling array of sweet kirsch, crème de cassis, graphite, toasty oak, and Asian spices. Hitting the palate with full-bodied richness and depth as well as an incredible mid-palate, it stays ethereal and elegant, with flawless tannins, awesome purity, and a blockbuster of a finish. The sexiest, kinkiest, most opulent wine in the vintage? I’d say yes. Do your best to hide bottles for 4-6 years, count yourself very lucky, and drink bottles over the following 3+ decades.
The medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Le Pin is still very closed, revealing glimpses of preserved plums, blackberry pie and raspberry compote plus suggestions of potpourri, star anise, tobacco, fenugreek and stewed tea plus a waft of hoisin. The medium-bodied palate is opulent, rich and plush with layers of black and red fruit preserves and loads of exotic spice accents, finishing very long and very decadent. 98+
The 2016 Le Pin has a very elegant, refined bouquet of pure brambly red fruit, rose petal and crushed stone aromas that unfurl beautifully in the glass; the oak is very well integrated. The medium-bodied palate delivers supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Fresh and lithe, with a vibrant, structured finish. This was already one of Jacques Thienpont’s best vintages in recent years, but you know what? It might be getting even better. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
I tasted through a blend of five barrels, but they may not be the final ones. There is significant gravel in the Le Pin soils, so they suffered a little from the heat, but the Merlot still has incredible finesse and elegance. The astonishing thing is the grilled, smoked damson and ripe wild blackberry and hawthorn perfume that rises out of the glass effortlessly. This wine is deft, elegant, and rich. A naturally low yield of 28hl/ha due to the drought, with a pH of 3.72.
TWI
98pts
The Wine Independent
Less hot than 2015, but drier, the 2016 Le Pin had to be picked relatively late - there was a lag between the phenolic ripeness and the sugars, according to owner Jacques Thienpont. The color is deep garnet with a hint of purple. You need to give it a minute of vigorous swirling then it explodes with scents of plum preserves, dark chocolate, licorice, and cumin seed, plus suggestions of crushed rocks, smoked meats, and black truffles. Full-bodied, the palate is rich, spicy and impactful with super-ripe, super-plush tannins and a firework display of minerals and fruit, finishing long and earthy. Heart-thumping wine, with time it could well surpass the incredibly impressive 2015!
This provides a pure, almost distilled note of raspberry ganache from start to finish, fleshy in feel, with a light brambly accent adding subtle, pulsating energy throughout. Black tea detail, a hint of warm gravel and mouthwatering black licorice nuances fill in through the finish, which has a beguiling feel. Best from 2022 through 2038.