Château Le Bon Pasteur

History of Château Le Bon Pasteur

The history of Château Le Bon Pasteur dates back to the early 20th century. In 1920, Joseph and Hermine Dupuy acquired the property and developed a vineyard across three communes: Pomerol, Saint-Émilion and Néac. At the time, the estate had not yet been recognized as an exceptional cru, and the wine production was sold in bulk to négociants. It was only with the involvement of the next generation, notably Serge and Geneviève Rolland, that the property began to take shape. In 1955, they expanded the estate to its current size of 6.62 hectares.

The true modernization of Château Le Bon Pasteur began in 1978, when Michel and Jean-Daniel Rolland, the sons of Serge Rolland, took over the property. Michel Rolland, in particular, would become an emblematic figure of the Bordeaux wine world and an internationally recognized oenological consultant. Under his leadership, Château Le Bon Pasteur adopted avant-garde winemaking and vineyard management methods that would revolutionize the estate.

In 2013, the property was sold to a Hong Kong investment group, the Goldin Group, led by Sutong Pan. Although Michel and Dany Rolland transferred ownership of the property, they remain involved in the technical management and wine production. This collaboration between tradition and modern expertise continues to make Château Le Bon Pasteur an essential estate in Pomerol.

The 1982 vintage of Château Bon Pasteur received a score of 96/100 from Robert Parker, a testament to the quality and elegance of this Pomerol wine.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Le Bon Pasteur

The vineyard of Château Le Bon Pasteur covers 6.62 hectares, spread across 23 plots, a fragmentation typical of Pomerol estates. Located on the border between Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, the estate's terroir is exceptionally diverse. It consists of clay-gravel, sandy-gravel, and deep gravel soils with a subsoil rich in sandy and clayey molasse. The presence of iron-rich "crasse de fer" in the soil, a distinctive feature of great Pomerol terroirs, contributes to the quality and depth of the wines produced by the estate.

The vineyard's grape varieties are dominated by Merlot (80 to 85%), a variety particularly well suited to clay-rich soils. Cabernet Franc (15 to 20%) completes this blend and brings finesse and structure to the wines. Some of the estate's plots, particularly those planted with vines over 60 years old, are of inestimable value. The average age of the vines exceeds 40 years, allowing for the production of concentrated and expressive grapes.

Particular attention is paid to cultivation methods in order to respect the environment and guarantee grapes of the highest quality. Since the 1990s, the estate has embraced integrated pest management against vine diseases, using techniques such as green harvesting and leaf removal. These practices promote better ripening of the grapes and precise control of yields, guaranteeing an exceptional raw material.

Winemaking at Château Le Bon Pasteur

Château Le Bon Pasteur stands out for its innovative winemaking techniques, introduced by Michel Rolland, a pioneer in the field. After exclusively manual harvesting, the grapes are rigorously sorted twice, before and after destemming. This meticulous care eliminates any impurities and ensures only the finest fruit is retained.

Since the renovation of the winery in 1987, the property has been equipped with stainless steel vats with temperature regulation, ensuring optimal control of fermentations. However, the greatest revolution is the adoption of micro-vinification in barrels, a technique initiated in 2010. In this method, the grapes are fermented directly in French oak barrels, which are regularly rolled for better extraction of tannins and aromas.

The estate also practices malolactic fermentation in barrels, followed by aging in new oak barrels for 15 to 18 months. This technique contributes to the velvety texture and aromatic complexity of the wines of Château Le Bon Pasteur. The wines are neither fined nor filtered before bottling, in order to preserve their purity and natural richness.

Another interesting innovation is the inclusion of 30% whole clusters during certain vinifications, which adds subtle aromas of cedar and undergrowth when the stems are sufficiently ripe. This bold approach reflects the estate's desire to constantly explore new ways of enhancing the potential of its terroirs.

The Cuvées of Château Le Bon Pasteur

Château Le Bon Pasteur produces several exceptional cuvées that reflect the estate's expertise and the quality of its terroir. Here is an overview of the different cuvées:

Château Le Bon Pasteur 

The flagship cuvée, made predominantly from Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc. This wine is characterized by its richness, tannic structure, and complex aromas of black fruits, truffle, and spices. It can be enjoyed young for its freshness, but develops deeper aromas of undergrowth and cocoa after aging for 10 to 20 years. The finest vintages, such as 2015, 2016, and 2018, are considered among the greatest in the estate's history.

L'Étoile de Bon Pasteur 

The estate's second wine, this cuvée offers excellent value for money. Crafted with the same care as the first wine, it is more approachable when young, with fruity aromas and a softer tannic structure. Ideal for those who wish to discover the style of Château Le Bon Pasteur without waiting years of aging.

Special cuvées (depending on the vintage)

Certain exceptional vintages may give rise to the creation of special cuvées, vinified separately to express particular terroirs or plots.

Pomerol, one of the most prestigious appellations in Bordeaux, has produced some of the finest wines over the decades. The most remarkable vintages include 1970, 1975, 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1990, recognized for their complexity and longevity. Other exceptional years such as 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010 continue to delight lovers of great wines. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 have confirmed Pomerol's ability to produce wines of exceptional quality, further consolidating the reputation of this appellation among the greatest of Bordeaux.

Discover the other great châteaux of Pomerol, true treasures of the right bank, where each estate vies for excellence. Beyond the mythical Pétrus, explore prestigious names such as Beauregard, Bon Pasteur, Clinet, Gazin, Haut Trochaud, L'Eglise Clinet, La Conseillante, La Fleur Pétrus, Lafleur, Le Pin, Latour à Pomerol, Nénin, Trotanoy, and Vieux Château Certan. These estates, often compared to the grands crus classés of Saint-Émilion, offer a unique experience, rich in finesse and character, that is sure to delight lovers of great wines. 

Château Le Bon Pasteur perfectly embodies the balance between tradition and innovation in the Pomerol appellation. Drawing on its family heritage and Michel Rolland's modern vision, the estate has continually reinvented itself to remain at the forefront of world viticulture. Its wines, powerful and elegant, reflect the diversity of its terroirs and the care taken at every stage of their production. Whether you are a lover of Pomerol wines or a collector in search of exceptional cuvées, Château Le Bon Pasteur offers a unique experience. Its first wine, in particular, stands out for its aging potential and its impressive aromatic evolution.