This is the first vintage of Jacques Thienpont's new wine, over the border in St-Émilion. Eight hectares of 30-year-old vines, harvested three weeks later than at Le Pin. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. Spicy, ripe and plummy on the nose. Something a little bready? Overall fragrant and lively. Dry, firm but seemingly gentle tannins.
This wine has a dark purple black color with violet reflections; an expressive nose of blueberries and blackcurrant with pretty oak tones. On the palate the wine is structured fresh and velvety. The finish offers a touch of graphite and red currant typical of cabernet franc.

TA 92

It's youthful and quite tannic from barrel, with more alcohol and rusticity than Le Pin, but has good freshness and persistence. The encepagement is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The colour is a bright red and on the palate there is powerful but very fresh red fruit. Wonderful purity here as you would expect from the producer of Le Pin.

L'If (or Yew tree) is the new wine made by maverick Pomerol producer and owner of Le Pin (Pine tree), Jacques Thienpont. It is situated close to Troplong Mondot and Barde Haut of the limestone Cote of St Emilion. 2011 was the first wine to be bottled under this label (the estate was previously called Haut Plantey). The second wine will continue to be called Chateau Haut Plantey and is made by the wine making team of Jacques and his nephew Cyril (son of Nicolas).