Le Bon Pasteur 2013

Made famous by Dany and Michel Rolland, Bon Pasteur was sold to the Pan family of Hong Kong (who also purchased the famous Napa cult Cabernet Sauvignon-based estate, Sloan). The attractive 2013 possesses soft acids, plum, black cherry and berry fruit, hints of minerality and floral notes, a good texture, unobtrusive acidity and medium body. This well-made Pomerol can be drunk over the next 5-7 years.

The 2013 Bon Pasteur has a pleasant, red cherry, red plum and mocha-scented nose that shows momentous definition and offers a sense of purity. The palate is medium-bodied with stringy tannin, moderate acidity, foursquare but focused with a brisk and rather abrupt finish. To be honest, there are much better wines from this estate in recent times, although it should give easy-drinking pleasure over the next 4-6 years.

This is the first Le Bon Pasteur born without Michel Rolland as proprietor, though his team continue to oversee the wine. The 2013 has an attractive, well defined bouquet that is elegant: red berry fruit, subtle touches of truffle and cedar emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with 'furry' tannins. There is good depth here with plenty of tarry black fruit, and although it lacks some finesse towards the finish, there is decent length and freshness. This is a well-crafted Bon Pasteur from Michel Rolland