Wine Advisor
Le Bon Pasteur 2023
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2023 Le Bon Pasteur has an uncharacteristically classical bouquet with sous-bois infused dark berry fruit, just a touch of gravel coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannins that frame the assiduously spiced black fruit. Possessing fine grip and cohesion, there is just a bit of hardness on the finish, and it cuts away too quickly.
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.
