Château Grand Corbin 2021

Intense dark fruit, floral notes. Accessible, round, shows character and noticeable tannins, lovely acidity, can benefit from some aging.

Offers cherry and red licorice notes that are lightly scored by bramble and apple wood hints. Maintains good energy through the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2027. 6,665 cases made.

Slightly sharp and sour on the initial taste, a burst of raspberries, green apple and just-picked cherries which then fades quite quickly into quite mineral, creamy chocolate, liquorice and cola-laden flavours that coat the mouth. The tannins have a touch of grip, further highlighting the mineral aspect. It’s well made, with good structure and underlying power. Needs a few more years, but there’s enough freshness to sustain early to mid-term ageing.

Plummy, spicy, medium-bodied, light, and already easy to drink, the wine finishes with dusty textures, licorice, cherries, and cocoa with espresso beans. Drink from 2024–2034.

Strong ruby core with purple reflections, subtle brightening at the rim. Fresh red cherries, hints of tobacco, redcurrants and orange zest. A racy palate dominated by red berries, with delicate tannins and a mineral, lemon-citrus finish. Good with food.

A beautiful effort from this château, which is located in the more northern part of the appellation, the 2021 Château Grand Corbin offers a lively perfume of red fruits, spring flowers, and spicy oak. With medium-bodied richness, a pure, elegant, charming character, and outstanding length, it's a joy to drink already yet will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and evolve nicely over the following decade or more.

Sweet cloves, tar and sandalwood character, clear oak influence with plenty of structure, fruit a little lacking in generosity. A tough year for this estate with frost and low yield. Laure Canu director as of March 2021, following retirement of Philippe Dambrine after 28 years at the head of Cantemerle and (more recently) Grand Corbin. Hubert de Bouard consultant. Tasted twice.

A blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 Grand Corbin has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. It skips from the glass with notes of black raspberries, mulberries, and wild sage, plus a hint of wet slate. Medium-bodied, the palate gives a good amount of flavor of black berries and peppery notes, with a lightly chewy texture and a soft-spoken finish.

A luxurious, ripe bouquet that welcomes you with open arms, offering savory complexity. On the palate, the wine is dynamic and precise, carried by wonderfully pure fruit. Boasting superb chew, the finish is delectable.

Grand Corbin is distinguished by its subtlety and diversity. The well-integrated élevage supports the intensity of the bouquet and allows fruity and spicy notes to emerge. Slightly creamy, the wine is carried by its tannins. These are compact and velvety, with a touch of austerity, enhancing the aromatic expression on the finish. Elegant, harmonious and, all in all, classic!

One of several estates in Saint-Emilion under the Corbin name, this is a dense, structured wine. Its blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc gives tannins and richly juicy black fruits. Drink from 2026.