Château Corbin Château Corbin Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2022 750ml

Coming from the northwestern part of Saint-Emilion, not far from the border of Pomerol, the 2018 Château Corbin is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc that was brought up in 50% new French oak. This rockingly good Saint-Emilion has a perfumed nose of black raspberries, blackberries, toasted spice, dried flowers, and loamy earth. Much more refined and elegant now from bottle than barrel, it’s medium to full-bodied and has some classic Saint-Emilion chalky minerality, quality tannins, and a great finish. This is well worth seeking out, and while it already offers pleasure, it’s going to benefit from just 3–4 years of bottle age and drink brilliantly for 10–15 years.

The 2022 Corbin has turned out beautifully, offering up sweet aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with hints of licorice, bay leaf and iris. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's velvety and enveloping, with the suave, polished profile typical of this sector, married with an unusual dimension of power and volume.

Fragrant nose of raspberries, flowers and cherries on the nose. It’s fruit-forward, youthful and delightful with medium body and a swathe of fresh berry fruit, framed by sleek tannins. Drink from 2027.

Based on Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Château Corbin is juicy and floral, with graphite, spicy wood, truffle, and mineral-laced aromatics. Medium to full-bodied, it’s fresh and focused on the palate, with an elegant, layered profile. It’s impeccably made, and I think it has some upside. Give bottles 3-5 years if you can and enjoy through 2042.

Powerful fruits and tannins show densely in this concentrated wine. It is all about structured black fruits that are still young and vibrant with freshness among the ripe flavors. The wine needs to smooth out, so wait until 2024.

A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Corbin has been aged for approximately 18 months in oak barrels, 50% new. It has 15% alcohol. Deep garnet-purple in color, it bursts from the glass with bold notions of blueberry coulis, baked black plums and blackberry pie, plus suggestions of incense, ground cloves, violets and camphor. The rich, full-bodied palate is ready for business, featuring bags of black fruit preserves and a velvety texture, finishing with plenty of freshness and a spicy kick.