The 1987 Le Pin has a slightly deeper hue than another off-vintage, the 1984. This has an intense nose of smoke and cigar humidor, with gamey scents manifesting with aeration. It seems like there is a soupçon of Cabernet Franc in the blend, curiously not a million miles away from a Côte-Rôtie after a few minutes in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and perhaps some Brett. There are degraded red berry fruit, pain grillé , cedar and sandalwood notes. Considering the vintage, it has commendable weight and depth, though this is a tad foursquare toward the finish. Just 275 cases were released. Tasted at Bipin Desai’s Le Pin vertical in Los Angeles in November 2008. Tasting note taken from the Pomerol book by Neal Martin.

With respect to the 1987, a big, exotic, perfumed, smoky, oaky bouquet is at first forceful and unrestrained. However, as the wine sits in the glass, the ripe, red fruit character emerges, followed by a lush, flattering, precocious wine that should be drunk over the next 4-5 years. It has been delicious since bottling. Anticipated maturity: Now-1997. Last tasted, 1/93.