France

Cabernet Sauvignon

Merlot

Cabernet Franc

Ch. Grand Corbin-Despagne

Chateau Grand Corbin-Despagne Grand Cru Classe Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Bordeaux

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Grilled cedar and sandalwood oak is clear on the opening, along with touches of incense and rose petals, and there are some lovely deep raspberry and red cherry fruit notes, well balanced and sappy. No need to wait too long, good quality. A vintage where being present in the vineyard and making choices throughout was key, making François Despagne a winemaker to look towards.

Inside Bordeaux

Dark plum colour, raspberry leaf, tomato leaf, fragrant and intense, dark berry fruits, full of charm and texture, with pumice stone and a feeling of light and shade. Packs a lot of flavour in, great stuff. 40% new oak for ageing, Despagne family estate, biodynamic farming.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Grand Corbin-Despagne is a tad closed to start, opening out, with coaxing, to notes of prunes, blueberry preserves, and tar with hints of fertile loam, sauteed herbs, and cedar. The medium to full-bodied palate has impressive acidity and firm, grainy tannins supporting the muscular fruit, finishing earthy.

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

This is an estate that I have great admiration for, and it is delivering a taut finesse in 2021, and although it dips in the mid palate, you'll find attractive brambled fruit and an earthy, authentically felt take on the vintage. 10% amphora for ageing, 19hl/h, organic farming. Thomas Duclos and Stétphane Totoundji consultants to this estate owned by 7th generation winemaker Francois Despagne who is celebrating 210 years in the family with this vintage.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Grand Corbin-Despagne is made from 75% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Notions of plum preserves, baked cherries, and dried mulberries spring from the glass, followed by hints of cedar and iron ore. The full-bodied palate is rich and seductive, with velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with a mineral lift.

Well-judged balance of power and finesse, an excellent vintage at Grand Corbin Despagne with gourmet black cherry notes, black pepper and olive tapenade spices, and a kiss of black chocolate to add generosity. Love this, an upscore from En Primeur. The Corbin sector on the clays near to Pomerol did a great job of resisting the periods of drought in 2019. A yield of 36hl/ha. 50% new oak. The 208th vintage of the Despagne family here, 24th for François Despagne.

2024	No priceNot available	Excellent
2023	No priceNot available	Excellent
2022	No priceNot available	Outstanding
2021	No priceNot available	Excellent
2020	No priceNot available	Outstanding

Category	Red wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Ch. Grand Corbin-Despagne
Vintages	1981
Country	France, Bordeaux, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Bottle	75 cl

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Sugar	g/l

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