Site and terroir
Château Le Pin Beausoleil is located in Saint-Vincent-de-Pertignas in the Bordeaux region, around 40 kilometres east of Bordeaux, eight kilometres south of Saint-Émilion and one kilometre south of the Dordogne. The vineyard plots are spread across around 5.5 hectares in Saint-Vincent-de-Pertignas, one hectare in Rauzan and two hectares in Mérignas.
The main plot lies on a gently sloping plateau at an elevation of 71 to 84 metres, on the crest of a hill range on the left bank of the Dordogne. Beneath a 20 to 60 centimetre-thick layer of iron-rich red clay, there are starfish sediments; the geological setup corresponds to the Saint-Émilion plateau. The plot in Mérignas brings together starfish limestone, a shallow layer of clay and sand, and pale limestone marl.
Grape varieties and wine
The estate grows Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. In Saint-Vincent-de-Pertignas, Merlot and Cabernet Franc are planted predominantly, along with a small proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon; the plot in Mérignas is planted with 80 per cent Merlot and 20 per cent Cabernet Franc.
Château Le Pin Beausoleil is a red Bordeaux Supérieur. The 2022 vintage comprised 70 per cent Merlot, 26 per cent Cabernet Franc and 4 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, and was described as medium-bodied with fine tannins, as well as aromas of cherries and berries.
Vine cultivation and ageing
The estate systematically plants at least 6,500 vines per hectare and uses short pruning. Documented work includes soil care, natural preparations and compost, occasional cover cropping, vine pruning adjusted to the flow of sap, thinning out shoots, tangle-free canes, green harvesting and working with the leaves. Since the 2021 vintage, the wines have been certified as organic according to Eurocert criteria; as stated by the estate, no pesticides, herbicides, chemical additives or synthetic fertilisers are used.
The grapes are hand-harvested, transported in small crates or baskets, destemmed, mechanically checked and sorted. Fermentation is carried out by plot in natural cement tanks with indigenous microflora. After around three to four weeks of maceration with pigeage, the wines undergo biological acid reduction and mature in French oak barrels. They are then blended and stored for three to six months in cement tanks.
History
As stated by the estate, Le Pin has existed at least since the 15th century; for 1447, the transfer of the noble Le Pin family home is recorded. In 1997, the property was renamed Château Le Pin Beausoleil and the tradition of wine-growing was revived. Michael and Ingrid Hallek acquired the château in 2004. In 2014, vineyard areas were added in the immediate vicinity of the château, after which a large part was replanted.
