Le Bon Pasteur 2019

A perfumed nose of dark cherries, plums, mocha, tea leaves, cedar, hazelnuts and cigar box. Full-bodied with fine, creamy and supple tannins. Framed and balanced with a harmonious structure. The tannin backbone runs through the wine. Long and intense with wonderful purity of fruit. Drink from 2026.

From the talented Michel Rolland, the 2019 Château Le Bon Pasteur shines for its richness as well as its elegance. Ripe black cherries, currants, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and floral notes all define the bouquet, and it has the vintage’s fresher, pure, vibrant style in both its aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has fabulous tannins, a seamless, layered mouthfeel, no hard edges, and a great finish. It's already hard to resist yet has another 20-25 years of prime drinking ahead of it.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2019 Le Bon Pasteur reveals alluring kirsch, black raspberries, Morello cherries, and violet scents with hints of Ceylon tea and cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers lovely restrained fruit with loads of savory layers and plush tannins, finishing with a quiet intensity and beautiful harmony.

The 2019 Le Bon Pasteur is just as compelling from bottle as it was in barrel. Succulent dark cherry, spice, leather, tobacco and cedar lend striking aromatic presence. In fact, it is the aromatics that are especially beguiling. Tasted two times. The 2019 offers a compelling interplay of richness and vibrancy.

The 2019 Bon Pasteur has more fruit concentration than either the Gravette de Certan and La Fleur de Gay tasted alongside - blackberry and wild strawberry, truffle and a touch of smoke. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine acidity, firm backbone yet with plenty of freshness on its sappy finish. A fine Pomerol. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.