Chateau Le Bon Pasteur Pomerol 2020 750ml

I was blown away by the 2020 Château Le Bon Pasteur, which is owned by renowned consultants Dani and Michel Rolland. A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by a stunning array of ripe currants, cassis, chocolate, leafy tobacco, and scorched earth. This carries to a full-bodied Pomerol with a layered, seamless mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and the balance and purity to benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and keep for over two decades. If forced to pick, it’s probably my favorite of the 2018, 2019, and 2020 trio, but comparing these three magical vintages over the coming 15-20 years is going to be a serious treat.

• Country: France
• Region: Bordeaux
• Appellation: Pomerol
• Size: 750ml
• Color: Red

Varietal

Red Bordeaux

There are few regions in the world with stricter regulations in regards to wine production and grape varietals than those found in Bordeaux, France. Here, in the home of the world’s finest wines, the type and quality of grapes used is of utmost importance, and the legendary wineries which work on the banks of the Gironde river have mastered the careful art of juice blending to find the perfect balance for their produce. Whilst there are six ‘official’ Bordeaux grapes, the two key varietals for almost every fine Bordeaux wine are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and with good reason. Whilst Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are renowned for their acidity and astringency, strong fruit and spice flavors and full body, Merlot grapes are notably rounded, soft, fleshy and lighter on tannin. The combination of these two varietals, along with a small percentage of (commonly) Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc, is the perfect balancing act ”“ the two grape varietals cancel out each others weaker points, and accentuate all that is good about the other.