Chateau Le Pin 1997

The 1997 Le Pin, made from Merlot grapes grown in the vineyard located on the Pomerol Plateau, is a red wine produced at Château Le Pin, a small vineyard owned by the Thienpont family in this appellation. 1997 was a year that demanded a great deal from the growers. Following the sweltering heat of March, flowering began unusually early; this was followed by a drop in temperature due to rain in June. By July, high humidity made spraying to control mould and mildew routine, and torrential rains that fell for a week starting on the 25th of August caused the grapes to swell just before harvest. The red grape harvest across Bordeaux began on the 2nd of September, and the rest of the month brought warm, sunny weather.

Unlike large-scale vineyards, small-scale vineyards like this one can effectively manage this entire process. Every row of the vineyard is walked by hand to select and harvest the ripe grapes. In particular, the Merlot grown in clay soil rich in iron was under ideal conditions to ripen perfectly during this season.

As a result, Le Pin was born, a wine that ranks among the softer, early-drinking styles of this winery. It is rich in fruitiness and has been aged in new French oak barrels, which have added spicy notes; however, it is not as suitable for long-term aging as the winery's finest vintages. It is best enjoyed early rather than cellared for extended periods.

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