1998 Le Pin
By Chateau Le Pin
1998 Le Pin from Chateau Le Pin, Pomerol, Bordeaux
The remarkable 1998 vintage from the storied soils of Pomerol has long enthralled investors and connoisseurs alike, with Chateau Le Pin standing as a beacon of unrivalled craftsmanship. The enigmatic 1998 Le Pin from Chateau Le Pin encapsulates the exemplary qualities that have propelled this estate into the echelons of vinous legend.
A Portrait of the Parcel: Terroir and Technique
The minuscule vineyard of Le Pin, with its adept affinity for harnessing Merlot’s grandiosity, offered a particularly distinctive expression in '98. The marriage of terroir and methodical vinification techniques combined to produce a wine of spellbinding complexity—a jewel in the crown of Pomerol wines from this laudable year. The season's propitious climatic conditions served only to amplify the inherent potency of this exceptional parcel.
The Fabric of Finesse: Tasting Notes for the Astute Investor
Decanting the 1998 vintage reveals an aromatic coronet bedecked with truffles, ripe plum, and a whisper of sweet spice—a prelude to the profound experience that unfolds on the palate. Silken layers of dark fruit interlace with subtle undertones of tobacco and anise, crescendoing into a balanced finish that resonates with unwavering elegance. Age has graced 1998 Le Pin with a tapestry imbued with nuances, each sip an ode to its peerless heritage.
This vintage remains a wise choice for investors seeking to diversify their portfolios with bottles possessing both esteem and potential for value appreciation. The 1998 Le Pin represents an archetypal example of opulence intertwined with investment-calibre pertinence—qualities that endorse its continuing prominence in the stratified market of fine wines.
Finery and Future: Summation for Sophisticated Collections
With two decades having refined its edges and deepened its core, the 1998 Le Pin stands as a paragon for serious collectors and enlightened investors. Its enduring nature and limited production render it a commodity that not only narrates the tale of an extraordinary vintage but holds promise for continued maturation and desirability within the cradling cellars across the globe.
Market price (HKD)
HK$394,130.00
12x75cl
Highest score
93
POP score
3171.54
Scores and tasting notes
A beautifully made, dark ruby/garnet/plum-colored wine, the 1998 Le Pin offers an exotic bouquet of coconut, kirsch liqueur, and jammy blackberries, all flamboyantly dosed with smoky new oak. It is dense, rich, and plush, with a good tannic framework. At one time, Le Pin was the most exotic wine from Bordeaux's right bank, but there is now considerable competition from all the new St.-Emilion upstarts. While this remains an outstanding, often compelling Pomerol, many far less expensive, equally prodigious alternatives have emerged. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2018.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 22 April 2001
Tasted at Bipin Desai's Le Pin vertical in Los Angeles. The Le Pin '98 has a rich, decadent nose with macerated black cherries, cassis, dark chocolate, truffle and a touch of molasses. Napa comes to Pomerol indeed! The full-bodied palate is loaded with glycerine, smooth and voluptuous, leaving you instantly smitten by its ravishing personality. Notes of ripe black cherries, blueberry and cassis, very succulent and yet somehow missing the tension that would counterpoise all this hedonism. I can imagine being utterly entranced by this wine if I had it alone, yet juxtaposed against other vintages of Le Pin, I find myself erring towards others less lauded. Just 435 cases produced. Drink 2010-2020+ Tasted November 2008.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2009