Château Grand Corbin 2022

Herb-cured bacon and cherries, floral notes, shows life and plenty of expressiveness; balanced on the palate, crisp fruit, fine-grained tannins, very harmonious, red-fruited, long finish with salted caramel on the back palate. Excellent this year.

A flash of mesquite leads off, followed by cherry and dark plum pâte de fruit flavors, all zipped up with worn cedar and savory notes through the finish. Warm earth echoes through the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2034. 10,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.

Cola, liquorice, slate and dark chocolate set the aromatic profile. Nicely textured, grainy tannins with a crushed-stone powderiness give a broad mouthfeel and add some cushioning to the blackcurrant and plum fruit, with bitter orange peel and clove spice. It feels well worked, if still a little shy. It lacks a touch more vibrancy; it’s certainly heady, but this offers a controlled expression that stays on the right side of rich and plush.

Baking spices over black cherries, berries and a hint of chocolate. Structured and dense, yet pretty chalky and evenly packed, showing a medium to full body and a lengthy finish. Drink from 2027.

The 2022 Grand Corbin is densely packed with blackberry, black cherry, new leather, licorice, incense and mocha. This is a very powerful, dark and brooding Saint-Émilion with heavy torrefaction notes. Big, rich and heady, it is not the most complex wine out there, but it sure is delicious. The long, resonant finish is very satisfying.

Medium-bodied, silky, fresh, and vibrant, the salt-tinged fruits are ripe, sweet, vibrant, and creamy on the mid-palate, with an elegant, supple finish. You can enjoy this on release or age it for more complexity. This is a superb effort from Grand Corbin. Drink from 2025-2040.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Orange zest, ripe plums, blueberries and some liquorice. Juicy, sweet, ripe cherries, vivid tannins that dry out a bit on the finish, leafy aftertaste.

A reserved and serious Saint‑Émilion, with structure, tannic grip, edges of rosemary and salted cracker, blood orange and crushed roses; muscular but with attractive aromatics as it opens. 40% new oak, harvest September 12 to 27.

Elegant black and purple berries on the nose, with a touch of sap, in a harmonious whole. On the palate, the wine stands out for its grace and fine presence, showing a certain maturity, before a long, subtly toasted finish. The best Grand Corbin we have tasted to date.

Notes of black berries, mint, and eucalyptus herald freshness, complexity, and maturity. The finesse of the attack only confirms the bouquet’s early promise. Delicate and linear, the wine stands out for its harmony and for tannins that are both vigorous and velvety. A sapid wine that can be enjoyed both young and with some age.

91-93 Barrel sample. A dense and concentrated wine, this has rich tannins from black fruits and a solid texture. The wine is powerful and set for aging.