Ch. GRAND CORBIN DESPAGNE, St. Emilion, 2011
From owner/winemaker François Despagne (the motive force) comes this St. Emilion Grand Cru Classé from Corbin on the eastern edge of where St. Emilion touches Pomerol (the place) that starts off good and improves with age. Ch. Grand Corbin Despagne is named for the place -Corbin- and the family who own it -Despagne- (literally “of Spain” as they came from Spain to the Corbin area in the 1600s). I have tasted (multiple times) and drunk all the recent vintages Grand Corbin Despagne and have some recent tasting experience with some older vintages going back to 1959 (my birth year). They develop beautifully and seem to age forever.
Ch. GRAND CORBIN DESPAGNE, St. Emilion, 2011 ($39.89)
A typically St. Emilion blend of 70% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon grown on clay and sand over iron deposits and sand over clay fermented in a mix of concrete and stainless steel tanks using pump-overs, rack-and-return, and even some punch-downs. Aged 18 months in all French oak barrels (50% new). Red-purple color with well-formed legs; dry, medium full-bodied with freshly balanced acidity and medium-phenolics. Rich dark fruit and earth nose. Deep, dusty, fully ripe St. Emilion offering a mix of red and black cherry-berry-plum fruit with notes of earth, cedar, and spice as well as dusty terroir and oak. Has developed very well and is beginning to show some secondary characteristics. Really drinking well. Think grilled, braised or roasted meats. BearSacore: 92.
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