Château Corbin 2021

Château Corbin lies in Saint-Émilion, at the gates of Pomerol, and is one of the oldest wineries in the appellation, founded in the fifteenth century and now run by Anabelle Cruse, the fourth generation of her family. The wine is built on Merlot with Cabernet Franc, farmed sustainably, on the clay and sandy-gravel soils of the northern Saint-Émilion plateau. The clay retains water and slows ripening, which gives Merlot its fleshy weight and dark fruit, while Cabernet Franc contributes red fruit and a savoury, leafy lift. This wine is aged eighteen months in concrete tanks rather than new oak, an approach that preserves the pure fruit and freshness of the grapes without adding wood spice, while malolactic fermentation rounds the acidity into a smoother shape. It is deep ruby, with aromas of plum, cherry and red berries over earth, leather and a thyme-like herbal note. The palate is medium to full, savoury and fresh, with supple tannins and a long, earthy finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees and decant briefly. A good match for red meats, game and mushrooms.