Wine Advisor
Le Bon Pasteur 2012
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The elegant, softer-styled 2012 Bon Pasteur is reminiscent of the 1999 and, if it puts on some weight, the outstanding 2001. The 2012 exhibits hints of mocha, cherry liqueur, damp earth and berry fruit. Medium-bodied, round and seductive with soft tannins, this attractive, lighter-weight effort should drink well for 10-15 years.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The Bon Pasteur 2012 has a fragrant, open bouquet with red cherries and orange peel – not complex but certainly seductive. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a rigid, tannic opening that comes as some surprise after the aromatics. There are touches of salted liquorice and smoke infusing the black fruit and there is a sense of untamed forcefulness upon the tannic, masculine finish that is woody at this primal stage. It should mellow throughout its barrel maturation. Tasted April 2013.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
From 17 acres of vineyard with an average vine age of 40 years emerges Bon Pasteur, the home property of Michel and Dany Rolland. No one has probably done more for high-quality wine in the world than Rolland. His home estate proves what a great winemaker he is, even though this is by no means one of the better terroirs in Pomerol. This blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc is very rich, intense and showing a lot better from bottle than it did from barrel. The wine has an inky, ruby/purple color and a beautiful nose of black fruits mixed with truffle, licorice and subtle background earth and spice. Rich, full-bodied, opulent and stunning, this has turned out to be a great success for the Rollands. Drink it over the next 12-15 years.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2012 Le Bon Pasteur is terrific. Dark, sensual and inviting, the 2012 is beautifully expressive today. Dark red cherry, blue stone fruit, mocha and spice blossom as this dense, succulent Pomerol opens up in the glass. A closing burst of exotic, perfumed aromatics rounds things out in style. All the elements are simply in the right place. This is a terrific showing. Michel and Dany Rolland have since sold Le Bon Pasteur to Pan Sutong (who also owns Napa Valley's Sloan Estate) but continue to make the wines.
About the Producer
Château Le Bon Pasteur is a Pomerol estate, known for both the lush, supple quality of its wine and its history as the family property of the renowned wine consultant Michel Rolland. The seven-hectare (16-acre) vineyard is located on the boundary with Saint-Émilion and has a wide range of soil types. It is planted predominantly to Merlot, with 15-20 percent Cabernet Franc – exact proportions are hard to measure as some plots are mixed. Some of the vines were planted in the 1950s. The grapes are harvested by hand, and are fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The wines are then aged in predominantly new French oak for around 18 months and bottled without fining or filtration. World-renowned winemaking consultant Michel Rolland took over the running of Le Bon Pasteur in 1978, although the estate had been in the family since 1920. It was sold to a Chinese investor in 2013, although Rolland remains as winemaker and estate manager.
