Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
Le Pin
A garagiste icon born from a vineyard barely larger than a football pitch, Le Pin is one of the rarest and most coveted wines in the world.
History
Le Pin dates back only to 1924 as a property, but its first true vintage under the name was 1979, when the Belgian Thienpont family acquired the tiny plot. Jacques Thienpont built it into a global icon almost by accident: in the first vintage he had nowhere to rack the wine and pumped it straight into barrel, giving Le Pin its signature silky, plush texture.
It is considered a forerunner of the garagiste movement.
Style and Character
Le Pin is more open, generous and fruit-forward in youth than the structured Pétrus to which it is often compared. Made from Merlot on gravel and iron-rich clay, it is sumptuous, aromatic and sensual, with a velvety texture and great depth.
INVESTMENT NOTES
Why collectors and investors pay attention
With only around 500 cases produced in an average year, sometimes fewer, Le Pin's extreme scarcity is the engine of its value. Only Pétrus, which makes several times the quantity, commands higher prices in Pomerol. For collectors it represents the rarest tier of Bordeaux, and demand consistently outstrips the minuscule supply.
Key Wines
Le Pin
There is no second wine in most years.