Chateau Grand-Corbin-Despagne. To the north of the Saint-Emilion appellation, bordering Pomerol from Chateau Grand-Corbin-Despagne Saint-Emilion grand cru.
Tasting notes The Wine Advocate 89 points
Dense ruby/purple, this richly fruity, modern-styled St.-Emilion exhibits lots of black currant, licorice and camphor characteristics in its medium-bodied, fruity personality. With good depth, purity and texture, it should drink well for 7-10 years.
History
The oldest known family document is that of the baptism in 1665 of the son of Pierre Despagne, a ploughman, and Lison Raynaud. Their descendant, Louis Despagne, born in 1789, would be instrumental in creating the family’s renown.
In 1812, not far from Cheval Blanc, where Louis’s family were tenant farmers, he settled at a place called Corbin and acquired the first plots to be owned by the family.
His son expanded “Crû Grand-Corbin – propriétaire Despagne”, as the growth was known at the time. It was towards the end of the 19th century that the name Château Grand Corbin-Despagne came into existence.
In the 20th century, Paul Despagne, who was an extraordinary winemaker, developed the good reputation of the growth, making wines of consistently high quality.
Different generations have brought their savoir-faire and when the first official classification of the growths of Saint-Emilion took place, the estate was awarded the rank of Grand Cru Classé.