CHATEAU GRAND CORBIN-DESPAGNE Grand Cru Classe Saint-Emilion 2020 Bottle

Description

Chateau Grand Corbin Despagne has been in the hands of the Despagne family for over two centuries! Which is quite a rarity these days as very few families continue holding on to their estates. It was purchased by the descendants of the current Despagne family in 1812. The foundation of Chateau Grand Corbin Despagne began with Louis Despagne.

Prior to 1812, the Despagne clan was not yet a family with property to their name. But the Despagne family was definitely involved in the Bordeaux wine business. In fact, they were becoming established in St. Emilion. They worked as farmers at Cheval Blanc. Following the French Revolution, the Despagne family were awarded the right to purchase vineyard land. The original estate of Chateau Grand Corbin Despagne was much smaller than it is today. At the time, the right Bank estate was only 6.8 hectares. Several years later, the Despagne family was finally able to purchase 20 additional hectares. Those additional vines created the estate of the same size that is still in use. Today, Chateau Grand Corbin Despagne is managed by François Despagne, the 7th generation of his family to take charge of the property.

The 29 hectare Chateau Grand Corbin vineyard is planted to 75% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Over the years, the Malbec that was previously planted here has been almost completely removed. The vineyard is located close to the Pomerol border. It is one of 7 estates to share the name of Corbin in their name. The vineyard can be divided into 53 separate parcels. Their best terroir is closest to the Pomerol appellation, which explains why you find more clay, as well as sand in the soil there. The vines are old. Many vines are close to 40 years of age. However, they have a small selection of vines that are approaching 100 years of age.

THE WINE ADVOCATE (92 - 94)+
Drink Date: 2027 - 2047
The 2020 Grand Corbin-Despagne has a deep purple-black color and pronounced plum preserves, blackberry pie and cedar chest notes, with underlying hints of sandalwood, pencil lead and garrigue, with a waft of tobacco leaf. The medium to full-bodied palate is wearing a lot of oak at this stage, lending a chewiness to the tannins and somewhat swamping the pretty black fruit flavors, finishing long and spicy. It may take a little longer to come around than some other 2020s, but it should be worth the wait. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 20th May 2021

JAMES SUCKLING 93-94 Points
1 May, 2021 – Attractive black-olive and spice aromas and flavors. Medium body. Medium chewy tannins. Fine-grained texture at the end with lots of black pepper, white pepper and iron.

DECANTER 93 points
Tasted by Jane Anson (at Primeur week tastings in Bordeaux, 01 May 2021)
This has depth and intensity that holds the line from beginning to end. Majors on blue and black fruits, fairly angular and austere in its tannic structure - this has less easy approachability than some, with clear acidity on the finish, but also waves of juicy minerality when you give it time. Good stuff from owner François Despagne. A yield of 36hl/ha.
Drinking Window 2028 - 2042

JANCIS ROBINSON 17 points
Drink: 2026 - 2043
Full bottle 1,310 g. Cask sample taken 7 April. Certified organic.
Extremely deep, dark purple. Much subtler, deeper nose than many of its peers. You can be convinced that there are hidden depths here. Intense, ripe, supple purple-fruit flavours – even some very ripe cassis – and very persistent. This has the richness of late-20th-century St-Émilion but also has great freshness. Palate-coating with quite a charge of ripe tannins underneath. Impressive.