Chateau Corbin Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2018 375ml

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.

• Country: France
• Region: Bordeaux
• Appellation: Saint Emilion
• Size: 375ml
• Color: Red

Varietal

Red Bordeaux

There are few regions in the world with stricter regulations in regards to wine production and grape varietals than those found in Bordeaux, France. Here, in the home of the world’s finest wines, the type and quality of grapes used is of utmost importance, and the legendary wineries which work on the banks of the Gironde river have mastered the careful art of juice blending to find the perfect balance for their produce. Whilst there are six ‘official’ Bordeaux grapes, the two key varietals for almost every fine Bordeaux wine are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and with good reason. Whilst Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are renowned for their acidity and astringency, strong fruit and spice flavors and full body, Merlot grapes are notably rounded, soft, fleshy and lighter on tannin. The combination of these two varietals, along with a small percentage of (commonly) Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc, is the perfect balancing act ”“ the two grape varietals cancel out each others weaker points, and accentuate all that is good about the other.