Château Le Pin

Jacques Thienpont bought the 2-hectare property right next door to family property Château Vieux Château Certan (VCC), for a million French Francs in 1979, a lot of money back then. Le Pin was born, named after a single Parasol pine tree planted next to the little house. The wine was originally made in a shed. The replanted vineyard grew to 2.7ha over the next few years. The family are Belgian wine merchants who have owned vines on the right bank since the 1920.
The 100% Merlot vines are tended by Alexandre Thienpont, and his son Guillaume who run VCC, wines made and marketed by Jacques.
Robert Parker’s praise placed the wine in the firmament of Pomerol, and of Bordeaux since it is often the most expensive wine of the region.
In 2010 they built a funky new winery.
Also look for Château Puygueraud, in Francs Côtes de Bordeaux made by their cousin Nicolas. Nicolas’ son, Cyrille manages L’If (named after a yew tree) in Saint-Émilion they bought in 2010 near Troplong Mondot.