Chateau Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2020

Overview of the Wine

The Pomerol appellation encompasses a multitude of micro-terroirs. What makes Château Le Bon Pasteur, with a total surface area of 6.7 hectares, so unusual is that it is located on the border between two world-famous regions: Pomerol and Saint-Emilion. As opposed to the great châteaux of the Médoc, the vineyard is not in a single block, but spread out over 21 plots. This patchwork of terroirs accounts for the wine’s considerable complexity, deep colour and delicate bouquet, as well as a softness typical of Pomerol and a generous, powerful side reminiscent of Saint-Emilion.

Château Le Bon Pasteur’s wide range of different geological profiles includes clay-gravel and gravelly-sand, deep gravel, and a subsoil of sandy molasse or clay molasse (called molasse du Fronsadais) with traces of crasse de fer (ironpan). The complexity of these various terroirs is accentuated by the varying depth of topsoil, different sun exposure (south and southeast), as well as the gradient and type of subsoil that determine natural drainage.

Each plot of vines has unique characteristics calling for tailor-made attention. The “Caillou” plot, planted entirely with Merlot and located 200 metres from Pétrus, is one of the key components of Le Bon Pasteur. The clay-gravel soil overlays a rare blue clay subsoil that is found only in Pomerol. Rich in iron, this terroir absorbs water when it rains, thus avoiding an excess supply to the roots. Conversely, during hot dry weather, the blue clay loosens and releases water to nourish the vine roots, even deep down. This naturally-regulated system enables the Merlot vines to produce wines that epitomise this variety’s intrinsic concentration, velvety texture, and great delicacy.

The “Pomerol Maillet” part of the vineyards features Cabernet Franc vines an average 40 years old. This variety is early-maturing here thanks to the clay-gravel-siliceous soil. This tendency towards early-ripening reduces the risk of rot during the rainy month of October in Bordeaux. The Cabernet Franc vines from this part of the vineyard produce fresh, spicy, and very fruity wines that are also balanced, structured, and show good ageing potential.

Other plots, poetically named “La Maugarde”, “Le Barrail”, “La Chichonne”, “Chantecaille”, and “Troque”, are also located in the hamlet of Maillet, which has no centre as such, but rather climats like in Burgundy. Our winemaking team takes great pains to adapt to each of these climats. Thanks to our technique of vinification intégrale (alcoholic fermentation in 225 litre barrels), we can target optimum ripeness down to the smallest parts of the vineyard.

Winemaker
Michel Rolland

Grape / Blend
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc

Origin
Pomerol, Bordeaux, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Deep color and delicate bouquet, as well as a softness typical of Pomerol and a generous, powerful side reminiscent of Saint-Emilion are the hallmarks of the wines of Château Le Bon Pasteur.

This extraordinary complexity results from the mosaic of identities of its 21 cadastered plots in the Pomerol appellation, to the French border of St. Emilion.

96 Points - James Suckling
Intense aromas and flavors of black and green olives to the purple fruit with some smoky barrel undertones. It’s full and flavorful. Juicy finish. Chewy at the end.

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
Emerging from the home estate of renowned consultant Michel Rolland, the 2020 Château Le Bon Pasteur sports a deep, inky purple hue to go with its medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of ripe black fruit, smoked herbs, tobacco, and scorched earth. With terrific overall balance, fabulous tannins, and a deep, concentrated mid-palate, this beautiful Pomerol might be up with the finest wines I have ever tasted from this address. Tasted twice.

94 Points - Vinous
The 2020 Le Bon Pasteur, which as always is fermented in new oak barrels, is impressive on the nose, delivering mineral-driven black fruit, clean and precise, the new oak very neatly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannins and saline in the mouth, building nicely toward a finish that demonstrates a sense of symmetry and poise. This is a really fine Le Bon Pasteur that is maybe cut from a less hedonistic cloth than previous vintages. Excellent. (NM)

Product size: 750ml