100% Merlot

Neal Martin: 97, James Suckling: 99-100

Neal Martin: The 2016 Le Pin was cropped at 28hl/ha and bottled at the end of June 2018. Fiona Morrison opined that the rain from January to June suited Le Pin's gravelly soils, perhaps more than the previous vintage. This has an extremely pure, nuanced bouquet that unfolds swirl by swirl, revealing black cherries, crushed violet petals, hints of raspberry coulis and a touch of vanilla. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, very well focused and almost symmetrical. The 14.5% alcohol is one of the highest levels for Le Pin, though it is completely disguised. There is firm structure and grip to the uncharacteristically masculine finish that suggests it will require several years in bottle.