Château Le Bon Pasteur 2021

Smoky and terroir-driven, dark berries, tobacco, with a mineral backbone. Taut, concentrated palate, the tannins are assertive, clearly more refined than en primeur. Spicy finish. Has developed positively!

Presents open-knit raspberry and plum coulis flavors that stretch out nicely over an ever-so-slightly grainy structure, while savory and red tea notes help fill in the background. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2030. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 1,000 cases made, 250 cases imported.

Oaky nose, smells heavily extracted and potent. Great high acidity opens the palate, sharp and bright, before turning quite salty and sombre. The frame is definitely taking over right now, putting the fruit and acidity to the back and presenting fine but massy tannins and lots of toasty concentration. Nice licks of freshness and liquorice though. Give this a few years to soften.

The 2021 Le Bon Pasteur has a very well-defined bouquet of clean, 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.

Flowers, black cherries, espresso, licorice, mint, and red plums create the perfume. The medium-bodied palate is even better with its freshness, purity, and elegance, perfectly matching the wine’s cherry, plum, chocolate, mint, and raspberry profile. Scoring at the top of my range, this is quite successful for the vintage. Drink from 2024-2040.

Deep garnet fading to purple at the rim. Subtle noble wood spices, a touch of vanilla, black forest berries and liquorice. Slender, black berry fruit, fine tannins, mineral, delicate leafy nuances on the finish.

Intense blueberry bouquet, blueberry juice, blackcurrant jelly, and delicate hints of lilac. On the compact palate with a taut texture, a firm tannic framework, and a sinewy body. In the focused finish, the Pomerol streamlines, with plenty of graphite and a crumbly astringency, rounded off.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19 hl/ha, 13.5% vol. alcohol, production 15,000 bottles) Velvety, sweet, opulent, powerful bouquet, cherry compote, vanilla, caramel, licorice, chocolate, smoke. More velvety, powerful palate with sweet fruit, powdery tannins, broad structure, generous aromatics, long, slightly drying finish.

(80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19 hl/ha, 13.5% vol. alcohol, production 15,000 bottles) Silky, sweet, opulent, powerful bouquet: cherry compote, vanilla, caramel, licorice, chocolate, smoke. A silkier, more powerful palate with sweet fruit, powdery tannins, broad structure, generous aromatics, long, slightly drying finish. 17/20 2028 - 2045

A clear sweetness on the palate, with oak influence that is starting to soften but still very present. As it opens, you get a welcome wave of attractive red cherry and pomegranate fruit, and (still grilled) dried herbs. Yield of 19 hl/ha, 70% new oak. Tasted twice.

Le Bon Pasteur 2021 is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It storms from the glass with bold scents of black plums and licorice, plus notes of cedar chest and fragrant earth in the background. Medium-bodied, the palate is bright, crunchy, and refreshing, with approachable tannins and a savory finish.

With this toasty nose, you feel as if you’re walking into a bakery at Christmastime, where aromas of warm bread mingle with notes of clementine, clove, and cinnamon. Smooth and elegant on the palate, this wine refuses to fly economy! A very well-crafted Pomerol, with toasty flavors and a fluid, silky texture.

Dark, intense and beautiful color. Very aromatic nose, with pure fruit and even floral notes. Delicate on the attack, delicious mid-palate, with a pleasant, melting body; the palate develops with savory flavors, wrapped tannins and lasting persistence. Normal length.