CHATEAU CORBIN
Chateau Corbin is one of the oldest estates in St. Emilion. In fact, it dates back to the 15th century. In 1924, Chateau Corbin was purchased by the Great Grandparents of the current owners, the Cruse family. The current château was built in the ninteenth century.
Chateau Corbin has been passed from mother to daughter for multiple generations. Perhaps, that has something to do with the refined, elegant, stylings in their wine. Since 1999, Chateau Corbin has been ably managed by Anabelle Cruse-Bardinet.
Vineyards, Terroir, and Winemaking
The vineyard is small - a single plot of about 13 hectares on the edge of the Pomerol and Saint Emlilion boundary. There are two distinct soil types - sandy soil over a base of 'crasse de fer' or ferruginous clay (the soil that is famous in Pomerol) and the classic clay of the Saint Emilion plateau which give the underlying power. It is planted with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.
The average age of the vines remains close to 33 years old. However, some of their Cabernet Franc vines are more than 60 years of age.
Today, the level of work that goes into producing the wine of Chateau Corbin has improved. Controlling by absence of intervention, picking ripe grapes, selecting the best plots, ageing in barrel for between 16 and 18 months, the result wine is with an unstressed, natural feel, and a frank and open balance.
There is a second wine that has 2 names; XX de Corbin and Divin de Corbin. Regardless of the name, the wines are exactly the same.