Tasted from a half-bottle with owner Jacques Thienpont and Fiona Morrison MW at the property, the 1986 Le Pin put in a quite dazzling display. Who says demi-bouteilles cannot age! Still youthful in color, I was smitten by the precocious and intoxicating bouquet armed with seductive blueberry, vanilla and violet scents. Interestingly, it reminded me of a fine Chambertin and that Burgundy theme continues onto the palate. Like the nose, the palate remains very exuberant and lively, belying its age and disproving the theory that Le Pin cannot mature as well as other Pomerols. This is underpinned by filigree, quite firm tannin that are counterpoised by a sensual Burgundy-like texture, the finish offering wonderful precision and intensity. There is just a sense of effortlessness here. Probably at 30 years, it is at its peak. The 1986 Le Pin is a sterling success. For those fortunate enough to have bottles, well, you are in for a real treat. Tasted June 2016.

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Maroon, without much signs of bricking. Ravishing on the nose with sweet plums, soil and some smokiness. The expressiveness extends to the palate where it is still dominated by sweet primary fruits. Tannins already very well integrated and slides down the throat with ease after the very intense mid-palate. This is not a particularly elegant Pomerol but one which is extremely concentrated yet not clunky at all. Impossible to identify this as anywhere but the Right Bank. In sum, the essence of Pomerol.

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