(Wednesday, October 24, 2018) — This will be an outstanding tasting of modern styled Pomerol. Ch Bon Pasteur is the home estate where Michel Rolland, the famous (notorious?) wine maker and consultant, grew up. He has become, with Robert Parker, a major proponent of the big, yet sleek, fruit and oak dominated wines that have become so popular. Our vertical spans the years 1996 – 2003.This was, overall, a very good run of years for Pomerol.

Register online or by mail

Michel Rolland started in the late 70s with his purchase of a laboratory and consulting to a small handful of wineries. His empire of clients now spans 13 countries and he consults, or heavily influences, over 80 Chateaux in Bordeaux alone! But it all started at Bon Pasteur.

The chateau, as a marketed entity, is relatively recent. Through the early twentieth century the owners, the Dupuy family, sold their grapes in bulk to négociants. Their bakery was making more money! Eventually they passed the estate to their children Serge and Genevieve Rolland who in turn passed it on in 1978 to their children Michel and Danny Rolland.

The estate actually straddles Pomerol and St Emilion, neighboring Gazin & Cheval-Blanc. It has gravel, sand, and clay soils. It is planted to 80% Merlot and 20% Cab Franc. In 1987 Rolland upgraded the winery converting from concrete vats to stainless steel and thermoregulation. Further changeswere made in 2010 to introduce his much loved (by him anyway) micro oxygenation and fermenting in French Oak. However our vertical ends before this change. Le Bon Pasteur produces supremely well-balanced Pomerols that are supple and packed with juicy, lush Merlot fruit. They are approachable young but usually benefit from aging.

The years 1996 –2003 rated above average to extraordinary on Parkers scale. 1998 and 2000 rated 96 and 95 points respectively (‘extraordinary’); ’97, ’99 and ’01 are in the high 80 pts range (‘excellent’) and ’96, ’02 and ’03 are above average. All (except possibly the ’98 and ’00) are well into in their drinking window.

Arguably, Pomerol produces the finest Merlot-based wines in the world; renowned for displaying both elegance and intensity far superior to most of its imitators. Come and see (taste) for yourself!

Date: October, 24th, 2018
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Limit: 60 people
Members: $85*
Guests: $99*

*Price including HST

North York Memorial Community Hall
5110 Yonge St. (under library)
North York Centre Subway

GST/HST account: 844742619 RT0001
Business Name: Winetasters Society of Toronto

Cancellations accepted up to October 19, 2018 — (Cindy Taylor, 416.458.3147 evenings evenings only). No reservations by phone, please. No mail confirmations will be issued — you will be contacted only if we are sold out. First come basis. For this event, non-members may attend at guest rates.