2021 Le Bon Pasteur
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind. Bright, quite dense crimson. Luscious and rich but with a spine of acidity that stops it being too much. Some persistence and vibrancy. Really rather superior! (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Château Le Bon Pasteur is terrific, with a ripe, yet concentrated, balanced style. Ripe red and black fruits, chocolate, leafy herbs, and some loamy earth/graphite notes all define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied, with a layered, ripe, supple mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and outstanding length. I'd happily drink bottles over the coming 10-15 years. The 2021 is a normal 80/20 split of Merlot and Cabernet Franc brought up in 70% new French oak.
The 2021 Le Bon Pasteur has a very well-defined bouquet of clean and pure fruit, notably lively compared to others and far removed from the occasionally turbo-charged aromatics of previous decades. The palate has sufficient fruit on the entry—blackberry and raspberry. Quite structured at the moment, the tannins just clip the finish, but they certainly don't dry it out. It just requires three or four years in bottle for it to cohere.
The 2021 Le Bon Pasteur is dark, rich and super-expressive. Large-scaled, ample and persistent, the 2021 is layered with red fruit, mocha, plum and spice. The resonant, textured finish and overall balance here are commendable.
About the producer
Famed winemaking consultant Michel Rolland is synonymous with this estate. The vines here were purchased by his grandparents and he ran the property from 1979. Although Rolland still makes the wine today, he sold the estate in 2013.