The Family Behind Le Pin — Jacques Thienpont's Castillon Estate

My Wine Man on L'Hêtre

L'Hêtre is the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux estate of Jacques Thienpont and Fiona Morrison MW — and the Thienpont name carries extraordinary weight in the world of fine Bordeaux. Jacques is the custodian of Le Pin, the tiny Pomerol estate that produces one of the world's most coveted and expensive wines, consistently ranking alongside Pétrus as the pinnacle of right bank Bordeaux. L'Hêtre is a very different proposition — a newer estate in the Castillon appellation, just east of Saint-Émilion, where the same limestone and clay soils that define the right bank produce wines of genuine charm and approachability at a fraction of the price of their Pomerol counterparts. This is Thienpont winemaking philosophy applied to an accessible terroir — and the result is a wine of real easygoing elegance.

Tasting Notes

The 2017 L'Hêtre is a wine of immediate charm and genuine drinkability. Red summer fruit leads on the nose — punnets of strawberry on a warm July day, lifted by rose petals and a whisper of fresh herbs. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with supple, fleshy tannins and a soft, generous mouthfeel that speaks to the Merlot-dominant character of the right bank. Easygoing and charming, with the kind of fruit-forward accessibility that makes it a natural companion to the table across a wide range of occasions.

Style & Drinking Window

Medium-bodied with supple tannins, fresh acidity, and an approachable, fruit-forward style. A versatile food wine — excellent with roast chicken, duck, lamb, pasta in tomato-based sauces, or a simple charcuterie board. Drinking beautifully now, and will continue to hold through 2026–2029.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$265, the 2017 L'Hêtre offers the Thienpont winemaking philosophy — the family behind one of the world's most sought-after wines — applied to an accessible Castillon terroir. This is right bank Bordeaux charm and pedigree at a price that makes it one of the most approachable and rewarding bottles in the store.

Looking for a Different Style?

- 2021 Château Laroque Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé — a classified Saint-Émilion estate of historic significance, for those seeking a step up in structure and appellation prestige
- 2021 Château Louvie Grand Cru Saint-Émilion — another approachable right bank Bordeaux Grand Cru at a similar price point
- 2016 Château Clinet 'By Clinet' Pomerol — a step into Pomerol from one of the appellation's most celebrated estates, for those ready to explore the right bank's most prestigious terroir

Life's too short for bad wine.