Château Le Pin – Trilogie (13-14-15)

Château Le Pin – Trilogie (13-14-15).

A rare symphony of three vintages — harmony, finesse, and the unmistakable spirit of Pomerol.

In Bordeaux, few names evoke as much reverence as Château Le Pin. Known for producing some of the world’s most coveted wines, the estate’s hallmark has always been purity, precision, and sensuality. Yet even within this exclusive realm, Le Pin Trilogie stands apart — a creation that blends artistry with rarity. 

In this review we discuss the Trilogie of 2013-2014 and 2015 (released in 2018).

About the Trilogie

First released in limited quantities, Trilogie is a blend of three consecutive vintages — in this case 2013, 2014, and 2015 — designed to showcase the estate’s expression across varying seasons. It is not a second wine, nor a conventional cuvée, but rather a thoughtful composition of barrels that did not enter the Grand Vin, united to form something entirely unique. The result is a wine that distills the essence of Le Pin’s terroir into a seamless narrative — three vintages, one identity.

The Trilogie concept itself dates back to the 1990s, when the Thienpont family first began crafting multi-vintage blends for personal use. These early experiments were never intended for commercial release but explored the idea of harmony across vintages. Over time, small quantities were bottled and later shared beyond the family’s cellar, leading to official releases that initially combined two vintages. In recent years, the concept has evolved into the now-recognized Trilogie format — a blend of three consecutive vintages, such as the 2013–2014–2015, followed by 2016–2017–2018 and most recently 2019–2020–2021. Each release embodies the continuity of Le Pin’s craftsmanship through time.

About the Region

The Pomerol appellation, perched on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, is both the smallest and among the most illustrious. Unlike the grand châteaux of the Médoc, Pomerol’s charm lies in its intimacy — rolling gravelly plateaus, modest estates, and a focus on Merlot, the grape that here reaches unmatched sensuality and depth.

Pomerol’s soils are a mosaic of gravel, clay, and iron-rich “crasse de fer,” giving its wines their distinctive combination of power and suppleness. The mild microclimate, tempered by the Isle and Dordogne rivers, ensures slow, even ripening, producing fruit of plush texture and haunting aromatics.

Wines from this appellation are known for their silky tannins, opulent fruit, and quiet authority — attributes that make Pomerol one of Bordeaux’s most sought-after terroirs. Within this landscape, Château Le Pin stands as a modern legend: small in scale, monumental in reputation.

About the Winery

Founded in 1979 by Jacques Thienpont, Château Le Pin is one of the most exclusive and pioneering estates in Bordeaux. Nestled on just over 2.7 hectares of gravel and sandy clay soils in the heart of Pomerol, its size belies its global prestige. What began as a humble farmhouse purchase evolved into one of the world’s most acclaimed wine properties, producing tiny quantities of Merlot of remarkable purity and sensuality.

Le Pin’s philosophy has always been rooted in precision and instinct. Each vine is meticulously tended, and each vintage is crafted with an almost Burgundian focus on site expression and texture. The wines are vinified in small stainless-steel vats and aged in 100% new French oak, resulting in a style that is both voluptuous and ethereal — a benchmark for modern Pomerol.

The Trilogie project embodies that same philosophy, though with a different lens: blending time instead of terroir. By marrying three distinct vintages — each shaped by its own climate — Le Pin captures the continuum of elegance, refinement, and balance that defines the estate.

About the Wine

This edition of the Le Pin Trilogie brings a wine of poise and personality — an eloquent conversation between three vintages, each contributing its own voice. The cooler precision of 2013 brings freshness, the structure of 2014 provides backbone, and the opulence of 2015 adds depth and generosity. Together, they form a composition that is greater than the sum of its parts.

In the glass, it shows a deep ruby core with garnet reflections. The nose is beautifully expressive, offering an elegant weave of dark plum, cassis, and cocoa powder, lifted by notes of cedar, cinnamon, and orange zest. As it opens, subtler tones of tobacco leaf, fine leather, and eucalyptus emerge — a sign of maturity and aromatic complexity.

On the palate, Trilogie glides with effortless grace. The attack is supple and vibrant, leading into a finely layered core of black fruit, mocha, and spice. Its tannins are silk-like but firm, building delicately toward a finish that hums with energy and refinement. There’s tension beneath the surface — a freshness that balances the wine’s richness, ensuring clarity and lift throughout.

It is both beautifully polished and understated, showing the elegance of Le Pin’s craftsmanship without the intensity of the Grand Vin. Medium to full-bodied, yet never heavy, it flows across the palate with poise and persistence. The aftertaste lingers on cedar, sweet spice, and a touch of mineral freshness, leaving an impression of completeness and quiet confidence.

Conclusion

This Le Pin Trilogie is a rare glimpse into the artistry of one of Pomerol’s greatest estates — a celebration of balance, not power; of finesse, not opulence. It captures three moments in time, seamlessly united by the clarity and touch that define Le Pin.

We proudly award the 13-14-15 Trilogie a 94-point DWA Score — a wine that whispers rather than shouts, revealing its brilliance through subtlety, grace, and the unmistakable signature of Pomerol.

This review is written by our own Niels Aarts. Acquired through Vintake. Le Pin’s wines are available in extremely low quantities, and often sold and traded at high prices because of the market demand.

Taste Date:     October 2025