Château Le Bon Pasteur 2017

Rich in extract, with austere, rustic tannins.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Bon Pasteur is profoundly scented of baked black cherries, black raspberries and plum preserves with hints of chocolate box, star anise and fertile loam. Medium-bodied, the palate packs in the expressive black fruit with firm, rounded tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and earthy.

Pure and vivid, with racy blueberry, raspberry and plum fruit, laced with mouthwatering anise and apple wood notes. A long echo of black tea runs through the mineral-tinged finish. Shows lovely cut and finesse. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2036. 833 cases made.

Ruby red in colour, bright and perky on the attack. The over-extraction that I felt during En Primeur has not softened as much as expected over ageing, and this struggles to really lift out of the difficulties of the vintage. The oak does a good job of adding sweetness and depth to the black fruits, but this feels a little disjointed.

Cedar, sandalwood and plums with cake undertones on the nose. Full-bodied, yet reserved and very tight on the palate with a firm, chewy finish. Needs two or three years to soften, but already shows very well. Try after 2022.

The 2017 Le Bon Pasteur offers fragrant black cherry, raspberry and loamy aromas on the nose, which gradually gain intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity and firm grip, finishing focused and fresh. This is a more understated Bon Pasteur than I have seen in recent years, and it suits it well.

With a lovely overlay of flowers, smoke, licorice, and dark cocoa, the sweet, ripe plums with black cherries, silky, soft tannins, and a hint of brightness on the finish are front and center here. Lay this down for 5 years and it will be quite charming to drink.

Intense bright inky purple colour. Modern nose with fine oak, roasted coffee, cassis and dark berries. Dense and mouth-filling with high extract, yet finely grained tannins, a fresh backbone with floral dark-berry flavours and a long, dense finish.

The Merlot-dominated 2017 Chateau Le Bon Pasteur is a juicy, elegant wine that shows the vintage’s more classic, straight style yet still packs ample fruit and texture. Giving up terrific notes of blackberries, blueberries, violets, candied orange, and hints of flowers, this beauty is pure class on the palate, with medium to full body, outstanding balance, silky tannins, and plenty of integrated acidity. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following 15-20.

Garnet-ruby with a dense core and a purple sheen. Open bouquet of wild berries, followed by licorice, fragrant violets and cassis. On the palate, delicately firm structure with ripe extract and finely sandy tannins. Aromatic finish of blue to nearly black fruits, with dried blueberries. Can still gain a point.

Kunz barrel sample 18: opulent, powerful bouquet—cherries, rock candy, strawberries, chocolate, slate. Creamy, dense palate with a lavish structure, good tannins, plush fruit, pronounced aromatics, long, full finish.

Opulent, powerful bouquet: cherries, rock candy, strawberries, chocolate, slate. Creamy, dense palate with a lavish structure, good tannins, plush fruit, powerful aromatics, and a long, full finish. 17/20 2024 - 2040

Le Bon Pasteur 2017 is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It gallops out with energetic notes of ripe black and red cherries, warm plums, and underbrush, followed by hints of cracked black pepper and smoked meats. Medium-bodied, the palate is lively and finely knit with approachable tannins and a savory finish.

Rare refinement in both aroma and texture. Nothing is lacking in the body, superb élevage, great length, pedigree. One of the finest Pomerols of this vintage.

Full-bodied, lively, fruity wine with lovely tension, broad tannins, and a graphite, sapid finish.

Deep garnet red with violet highlights. Complex bouquet showcasing the élevage, with notes of black berries and spices. Earthy touch. On the palate, the wine is luscious and creamy. It has compact, tight tannins that are perfectly ripe and well integrated. The structure is also well defined and matches the tannic power. Fruity, persistent finish. A characterful Bon Pasteur with good cellaring potential and lovely freshness.

The nose is elegant and offers subtle complexity, power, and a touch of freshness. It reveals notes of ripe blackcurrant, violet, and, more delicately, wild strawberry, joined by fine hints of nutmeg, Cubeb pepper, spices, very discreet touches of licorice, and an imperceptible hint of tobacco in the background. The palate is fruity, balanced, and offers a fine acid-driven framework, juiciness, subtle tension, and good guideline. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fleshy/juicy blackcurrant, fleshy/juicy blackberry, and, more slightly, small black fruits, combined with touches of raspberry and small blue berries, as well as delicate hints of licorice, cocoa, camphor, and very discreet notes of Sichuan pepper. The tannins are elegant and offer a very fine chew. Good length.

Medium-intensity red colour. Fruity, discreet nose. Soft, fruity, flavourful palate, a touch rough at mid-palate, then fairly long with a meaty savour.

From an estate managed by Dany Rolland, this wine is ripe, dense and layered with black fruits. It is rich in feel from firm tannins, which will lend to its longevity. Drink from 2024.