2013 Corbin

A blend of 87% percent Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc, the wine is considered one of the best from the sector of St.-Emilion called Corbin. It was cropped at 28 hectoliters per hectare and produced from hand-harvested fruit starting on September 28 and finishing October 8. The wine has an attractive deep purple color, a sweet nose of raspberry fruit intermixed with red and black currants, loamy soil undertones and a bit of tobacco leaf. It is medium-bodied, spicy, not terribly deep, but elegant and well-balanced. Moreover, the tannins are sweet and there is enough acidity to provide delineation to its component parts. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.

Floral and expressive. Sweet milk chocolate, generous oak, a bit of coffee. Squishy tannins, good balance – a successful St-Émilion. The perfume really helps give it some complexity. (RH)

Freshly cut flowers, pomegranate, plums, smoke and tobacco all make an appearance in the 2013 Corbin. Today, the tannins are firm and imposing, yet the wine appears to have enough fruit and density to fill out over time. It will be interesting to see if the 2013 softens over time. Tasted twice.