(96-99) I’ll taste the 2018 Le Pin from barrel again in April for en primeur, but I was thrilled with this early look, and it appears to be a step up over the 2017. Boasting a vivid purple color and magical notes of kirsch, cassis, and black raspberries, with integrated, high-class oak, it’s full-bodied, has building, sweet tannins, no hard edges, and a pure, sexy, seamless style. Count me impressed.

(97 - 99) The 2018 Le Pin is made of 100% Merlot, picked the last week of September with yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare. The wine has a pH of 3.7, an IPT (total polyphenol index) of 70 and 14.5% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it is a little reserved to begin, offering glimpses of tar, fertile loam and truffles with slowly emerging notes of baked black cherries, stewed plums, mulberries and underbrush plus hints of black pepper, hoisin and chargrill with a waft of garrigue. Full-bodied, the palate is loaded with taut, muscular fruit and heaps of earthy accents, with a firm frame of ripe, rounded tannins and just enough seamless freshness, finishing very long and wonderfully savory.- LPB

This is extremely good, expansive and luxurious with a stunning texture – vibrant and powerful, and a floral side that becomes clear as it opens in the glass, lifting the whole thing not through acidity but through aromatics. The real difference with Le Pin and other 100% Merlot wines is the sumptuousness through the mid palate, it’s so wide and rich, you can’t just walk over it but lie down on it, feather pillow style. They had a yield of 30hl/ha, mainly due to thicker than usual skins with some concentration at the finish, and added a selected rather than indigenous yeast to deal with the alcohol levels. 3.7Ph. 70IPT. Read more at https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/bordeaux/chateau-le-pin-pomerol-bordeaux-france-2018-29522#KvXqvK7CjbqjPD79.99

The blackberries, iron shavings and black olives on the nose are captivating. Full-bodied with lots of toffee and smoky undertones to the ripe and round tannins. Very exciting and flavorful with softness and beauty. Drinkable now, but better in two or three years.

(96-98) Flowers, dried, red pit fruit and a touch of citrus open the nose. The wine is sensuous, even exotic in its texture. Medium-full bodied, there is a touch of chocolate making a cameo and the finish brings in tints of spice and citrus to the opulent red fruits. The wine was produced from 100% Merlot reaching 14.5% alcohol. Due to the higher level of alcohol, this year cultivated yeasts were used in the fermentation process for the very first time. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/search-wine-tasting-notes/?szSearch=2018+Le+Pin