Le Pin, Pomerol 2001

The 2001 Le Pin is hands down one of the finest wines that Jacques Thienpont has made. It’s cut from a completely different cloth than the 2000, delivering almost clinically defined black cherries, boysenberry, crushed stone and violet scents with laser-like precision. The medium-bodied palate is taut and fresh, with fine tannins, beguiling pure fruit and stunning focus on the finish. Jacques Thienpont seemed as excited as I was by the showing of this wine at 20 years. It is a stellar Pomerol and simply one of the best vintages of Le Pin ever made.

A tremendous effort, this 500-case cuvee (one of Bordeaux’s original garage operations) is even better in 2001 than it was in 2000. Its deep ruby/plum/purple color is accompanied by an extraordinary perfume of creme de cassis, cherry liqueur, plums, licorice, caramel, and sweet toast. This flamboyant, opulently textured, rich, concentrated Pomerol is a brilliant success as well as one of the wines of the vintage for 2001. Its low acidity and extraordinary ripeness suggest early drinkability, but it has proven it can last for 18-20 years.