Expressive and rich, not as decadent as the 1998 but still in a class of its own in terms of concentration of menthol-laced plum and smoked blueberry fruits. It's the extra filling that always makes Le Pin stand out, the multi-layered tannins that instead of air between them have silk and feathers. Touches of cinnamon, mocha and bitter black chocolate give a roundness and further depth to the overall shot of pleasure. This is a delicious 1999, a standout in the vintage. 100% new oak.
Tasted by Jane Anson (at Bordeaux, 07 Sep 2020)
Part of A 'monumental' tasting of Petrus, Le Pin and Lafleur 1998 and 1999

Expressive and rich, not as decadent as the 1998 but still in a class of its own in terms of concentration of menthol-laced plum and smoked blueberry fruits. It’s the extra filling that always makes Le Pin stand out, the multi-layered tannins that, instead of air in between them, have silk and feathers. Touches of cinnamon, mocha and bitter black chocolate give a roundness and further depth to the overall shot of pleasure. This is delicious.

Tasted at Bipin Desai’s Le Pin vertical in Los Angeles. Even compared to the 1998 I found that the Le Pin 1999 is far more interesting on the nose, very expressive, pure and beautifully defined with black cherries, cassis, mulberry, hints of fresh fig and damson, but leaving it to acquaint itself with the air: subtle notes of mint and then balsam emerge. The palate is full-bodied and balanced the super-ripe black fruit with both nervosite and a sense of tension. Blackberry, black cherry, a touch of smoke with a touch of zingy mango sorbet just on the finish, leaving the palate fresh and reinvigorated. What a wonderful wine! A total of 550 cases produced. Drink 2010-2020+ Tasted November 2008.

Component #1, from 15-year-old vines: Ruby-red. Sappy black fruits, tar, flowers and spices on the nose. Compellingly sweet, thick and long, finishing with thoroughly fine tannins. Component #2, from 35-year-old vines. Ruby-red. More reticent berry and floral aromas. Altogether more serious in the mouth; snappy, spicy and very deep, with superb flavor intensity and good backbone. Very long and sweetly oaky on the aftertaste. An approximate blend of the final wine: Full ruby-red. A basket of berries and flowers on the nose. Fat, sweet and thick, with spicy red cherry and griotte flavors given clarity by lively, harmonious acids. A wine of terrific verve and clarity, rich but miraculously light on its feet. Alexandre Thienpont believes the pH is lower than that of the '98. Great sap and class.

This is an example of a wine that has gained considerable weight since I tasted it in 2000 and 2001. It is exotic and sexy, with a cunning display of super-ripe mocha and toast-infused, jammy black cherry fruit, low acidity, and a savory personality. It appears ready to drink, but will undoubtedly take on more delineation and structure as its ages in the bottle. It is a luxuriously rich, decadent 100% Merlot that will be at its finest between 2004-2015.

Le Pin's 1999 is excellent, but it lacks volume, density, and richness. The heavy overlay of wood smoke seems obvious in this medium-bodied effort. The wine exhibits admirable ripeness, a sexy, sweet cherry and currant flavor profile, good length, low acidity, and a certain fragility that suggests consumption over the next 10-12 years is warranted.