At the far north-west of Saint-Émilion, Château Grand Corbin presents its 2020 vintage: a wet spring, a hot and dry summer, and yields down by 20%.
The estate lies at the place called Corbin, on the edge of Pomerol. Its vineyard covers 37 hectares, 28.5 of which have been classified Grand Cru Classé since 2012. The soils are silica crossed by a vein of blue clay. The vines average 40 years of age, and the estate attributes a slow ripening to their north-facing exposure. It has been certified High Environmental Value since 2018.
The year 2020 began with a generously wet spring, which gave the vines water reserves before summer. The summer was hot and dry; the estate sees in it a steady, gradual ripening. The harvest, carried out by hand, took place from 14 to 30 September, with grape selection and berry sorting after destemming. Yields are down by 20%, according to the estate.
In the cellar, vinification takes place in wooden or concrete vats, so as to respect the expression of each plot. Ageing lasts twelve months in French oak barrels, 40% of them new, with consulting oenologist Hubert de Boüard. The blend is 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Laure Canu has run the estate since 2021; the property presents her as the first woman to head two Grands Crus Classés of the Groupe SMA at the same time.
The property describes a round, supple palate, held by the tension and freshness of the Cabernets, with fine ageing potential. These are its words. A wine is judged in the glass.
The interest of the subject is established: a vintage documented by its harvest dates, its blend and its ageing. The quality of the wine cannot be settled on declared figures, and no recommendation can precede the tasting. The vintage rests on two facts, less fruit and a Merlot that dominates at 80%. What they yield is read in the glass.
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Château Grand Corbin 2020, Saint-Émilion grand cru, Grand Cru Classé. Merlot 80%, Cabernet Franc 15%, Cabernet Sauvignon 5%. Hand harvest from 14 to 30 September. Twelve months’ ageing in French oak barrels, 40% new. Sold at €36, according to the estate.
Also on Luxsure: Château Vray Croix de Gay 2022, the mastered elegance of a plateau Pomerol · Le Différent de Château de Ferrand 2022, the other face of a Grand Cru Classé · Château Dassault 2022: the revenge of Saint-Émilion’s north slope · Château de Ferrand 2020: the radiance of terroir
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