2012 Le Bon Pasteur
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Drinking fabulously, the 2012 Pomerol from Merlot genius Michel Rolland offers classic Pomerol elegance and finesse as well as a beautiful perfume of darker currants, flowers, cedarwood, truffle, and hints of sous bois. I've always loved the 2012s on the Right Bank, and this one offers medium to full body, resolved, silky tannins, wonderful purity, and a great finish. Made in an alluring, seamless style favoring finesse over power, it's a wine that readers should snatch up. It will continue drinking beautifully for another 10-15 years.
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Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Quite sweet and polished with some real charm but a tad dry on the end. Very purple fruits. Then a bit drying. (JR)
The 2012 Le Bon Pasteur is terrific. Dark, sensual and inviting, the 2012 is beautifully expressive today. Dark red cherry, blue stone fruit, mocha and spice blossom as this dense, succulent Pomerol opens up in the glass. A closing burst of exotic, perfumed aromatics rounds things out in style. All the elements are simply in the right place. This is a terrific showing. Michel and Dany Rolland have since sold Le Bon Pasteur to Pan Sutong (who also owns Napa Valley's Sloan Estate) but continue to make the wines.
From 17 acres of vineyard with an average vine age of 40 years emerges Bon Pasteur, the home property of Michel and Dany Rolland. No one has probably done more for high-quality wine in the world than Rolland. His home estate proves what a great winemaker he is, even though this is by no means one of the better terroirs in Pomerol. This blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc is very rich, intense and showing a lot better from bottle than it did from barrel. The wine has an inky, ruby/purple color and a beautiful nose of black fruits mixed with truffle, licorice and subtle background earth and spice. Rich, full-bodied, opulent and stunning, this has turned out to be a great success for the Rollands. Drink it over the next 12-15 years.
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.