This Pomerol is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. While there is age evident in the color, it is holding on to a lot of garnet pigment for a 20-year-old wine. Dried cherries are forefront on the aroma, along with saddle leather, tamari and cola notes. On entry, the minerality is distinguished, with crushed rocks and metal shavings, but offers cherry, black pepper, cinnamon and rose petal characteristics as well. This is a well-crafted wine that has matured gracefully and is offering the pleasure of age with yet a good fruit structure. Plan on enjoying now, and through the next 5 years.

Bon Pasteur’s 1996 reveals dry, slightly gritty tannin in the finish, which kept my score more conservative. It exhibits spicy new oak, medium body, abundant smoky, black cherry and mocha-tinged fruit, good weight, excellent purity, and a firm, structured, muscular finish. This wine should evolve nicely for 7-8 years. - Robert Parker