There are 580 cases of the exotic, flamboyant 2004 Le Pin. Its dense plum/ruby color is accompanied by sweet aromas of kirsch, cassis, smoke, earth, and roasted herbs. Super-opulent for the vintage, it possesses wonderful fruit and glycerin, medium to full body, and a fleshy personality. It should drink well young, yet age nicely for two decades or more. The Pomerol of the vintage?

(tasted from cuve Classic Le Pin perfume of raspberry, cocoa powder and toasty oak, with an ineffable topnote of orange peel. Wonderfully delicate and precise in the mouth, with flavors and texture that reminded me of great Burgundy. The vibrant, utterly pure flavors of crushed raspberry, minerals, flowers and spices go on and on on the aftertaste, which does not show the oaky torrefaction of the young 2005. A great and subtle expression of merlot on the Pomerol plateau. I am not sure that the 2005 will surpass this.

This is impressive for the vintage. A little better than in recent blind tastings. Blackberry, plum and dark chocolate aromas, with mineral undertones. It's thick and rich, with fine tannins and lots of mineral and plum flavors. Long and silky. Precise and refined.--Le Pin non-blind vertical. Best after 2012. 580 cases made. -JS

Extremely deep purple with a crimson rim. Explosively sumptuous nose with lots of freshness and floral scents. Rich and round with the merest suggestion of a corset of very fine tannins. Not nearly as opulent on the palate – big, round and meaty with a very dry, quite sudden finish.