Le Pin 2018 – one of the last wines for this year’s En Primeur campaign – has been released at €1,450 per bottle ex-negociant, up 20.8% on the 2017’s opening price of €1,200. It is expected to be retailed for £23,000 – £26,000 per 12×75, approximately 36% up on last year’s release. Due to the brand’s strong following and the tight quantities produced, final prices are largely dictated by long term relationships and allocations.
This year’s release achieved 97-99 points from Lisa Perrotti Brown MW (The Wine Advocate) and 98-99 from James Suckling, who said it reminded him “of the great 1986”. Suckling also found “the density and texture to this Le Pin […] very surprising”.
For Antonio Galloni (Vinous, 94-97), the wine was “dense, rich and seductive, with all of the textural richness that is such a signature”. In his tasting note, Galloni further noted that “the 2018 comes in 14.5% alcohol, the highest ever here, and yet that is not especially evident”.
Julia Harding (Jansisrobinson.com), who also tasted the wine and gave it 18.5/20 points, agreed that it was “generous, inviting and glossy without being showy”.
Prices for Le Pin show 74% correlation to ‘Benchmark Critic’ scores. Based on today’s release price (a price midway between the highest and lowest expected price), the 2018 falls well below the implied trend line. Those lucky enough to have secured an allocation will therefore find good value in this year’s offering. Other vintages that continue to look attractive are the 2012 and 2011.
Looking for more?
Our Bordeaux 2018 pages contain everything you need to know about this year’s En Primeur campaign, including:
- Critic scores
- Release prices
- Bordeaux 2018 analysis tool [members only]
- The conversation on social media
- Liv-ex’s fair value methodology
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