100 James Suckling
I am spellbound by the aromas of crushed blackberries, licorice, black tea and violets. It’s full-bodied yet so intense and linear. Powerful tannins with superb polish and focus give an amazing texture. Complex and fascinating flavors of hazelnuts and dark fruit. The balance and strength is uncanny. Perfect wine. Very direct and superb. Try after 2025.
98 Robert Parker
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 Vinous
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.
98 Vinous
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.
19 Rene Gabriel
Kunz Fassprobe 17: (100% Merlot, 28 hl/ha, 14.5% vol. Alkohol) Duftiges, frisches, kräftiges, fein cremiges Bouquet, Himbeeren, Maulbeeren, Minze, Röstaromen, fein Eukalyptus. Feingliedriger, dichtverwobener, vielschichtiger Gaumen mit kräftiger, süsser Aromatik, viel feinem Tannin, cremiger, dichter, erotischer Struktur, feiner Frucht, sehr langer, frischer, duftiger Abgang mit süssen Rückaromen.
19 Rene Gabriel
Kunz Fassprobe 17: (100% Merlot, 28 hl/ha, 14.5% vol. Alkohol) Duftiges, frisches, kräftiges, fein cremiges Bouquet, Himbeeren, Maulbeeren, Minze, Röstaromen, fein Eukalyptus. Feingliedriger, dichtverwobener, vielschichtiger Gaumen mit kräftiger, süsser Aromatik, viel feinem Tannin, cremiger, dichter, erotischer Struktur, feiner Frucht, sehr langer, frischer, duftiger Abgang mit süssen Rückaromen.
97 Wine Spectator
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. — JM
97 Wine Spectator
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. — JM