Château Le Bon Pasteur 2016

A formidable red from Pomerol

Chateau Le Bon Pasteur is a red wine produced in the Pomerol appellation. The vines are, on average, 40 years old covering 6.7 hectares. The soil is composed of a mixture of clay, soil and sand. The wine is matured in French oak barrels for 15-18 months, depending on the vintage. 2016 is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

2016's vintage is characterised by its heavy rainfall during the first six months. In June, flowering followed warmer temperatures. Summer started on June 18^th, but brought a severe drought. September 13^th brought rains that saved the grapes, and allowed them to ripen. The grapes reached perfect maturity and were harvested from September 29^th to October 20^th.

Chateau Le Bon Pasteur 2016 has a deep purple colour. Finesse and subtlety are the characteristics of the nose. Aromas of black fruits immediately reveal themselves before aeration, which presents notes of spices and flowers. The attack is smooth, showing a sensual and voluptuous freshness. The tannins combines precision and balance. This gourmet wine is deliciously elegant. 

Wine Advocate-Parker :
The 2016 Bon Pasteur has an atypically modest and almost bashful bouquet at first, one that required coaxing from the glass, eventually offering blackberry, briary and subtle floral aromas that are very classy. The palate is well defined with crisp tannin. This Bon Pasteur is, you might say, more classic than the 2015 and more reserved, but displays excellent tension with impressive detail on the finish. It might not quite possess the persistence on the aftertaste of its peers higher up on the plateau, but it is a very, very good Bon Pasteur that I prefer to the 2015. I would not be surprised if this lands at the top of my banded score once in bottle.