2005 Chateau Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol 1x750ml

Robert Parker 92

Tasted at the chateau with Dany Rolland as part of a vertical, this is superior to other bottles that I had tasted hitherto. The 2005 has a very deep garnet/purple colour. The bouquet is rich and hedonistic, black plum, liquorice and a touch of white pepper before calming down with aeration. There appears to be a lot of glycerine. The palate is full-bodied, slightly grainy on the entry, firm tannins, nicely poised, becoming more masculine and assertive towards the finish. Not a decadent Bon Pasteur – this is a wine with serious intentions (perhaps challenging the 2000 or 1998 in 20 years time!) There is impressive weight and persistency on the finish. This is a long-term Bon Pasteur. Tasted September 2009. [Neal Martin, 09/01/2009]

Vinous 91+

Brightruby-red. Captivating nose offers floral red fruits, licorice, minerals and coffee, plus a suggestion of hard candy. Dense, backward and powerful, with an impression of elevated alcohol but very good flavor definition. A very fresh and primary style of 2005, still a bit youthfully aggressive but with the inky dark fruit and torrefaction flavors to support a slow evolution in bottle. Today the wine’s sweetness is under wraps and the alcohol and tannins are to the fore. This will need patience. [Stephen Tanzer, 01/05/2008]