Primeurs 2009 Saint-Émilion
At the border of the Pomerol appellation and at the north-west of the village of Saint- Emilion, the name only of "Corbin" evokes several crus: Château Corbin, Corbin Michotte, Grand Corbin, Grand Corbin Despagne, Grand Corbin Manuel, Haut Corbin.
Rooted on an old seigneury registered on the map of Belleyme in the 18th century and in the History of the appellation Saint-Emilion, it is during the 20th century that different properties appear as such. Several well-known families of the region, understanding the importance of the terroir in this area, moved into the fief of Corbin. On these sandy soils mixed with clay, pebbles and a layer of iron oxides (locally called crasse de fer), revealing truffle notes when ageing, the wines - mainly composed of Merlot complemented by Cabernet Franc and a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon (more present in the Château Haut Corbin) - were vinified by six family estates. A change in attitude between the owners could only be noticed with the new generation and the 21st century. Each of them then decided to work together, exchange, share their experience as much in the vineyard as in the winery. The idea of pooling their know-how with the neighbours and friends wine-markers germinated. In the end of 2009, ideas became actions: a family of crus adding up 70 hectares with
5 wines classed out of 6, united to create a synergy of work and, above all, communicate with one voice under a common name: "Corbin", while preserving their identity.
“It is fundamental to be able to express our terroir sincerely in our wines, that remain consumption and pleasure wines, with a good price/pleasure ratio (from 15 to 25 € for the 2007 vintage). To make a good wine goes without saying but to let it know is a real strength.” insists Philippe Giraud of the Château Grand Corbin.
“We have a strong identity thanks to the name Corbin: we are attached with Saint-Emilion and with a particular area. Within this grouping we have concrete projects like find our historical roots, develop between us the synergies and professional exchanges about the vine and the wine and at last, favour the 'oenotourism' by opening to public our winery on saturdays from may to mid-october.” François Despagne from the Château Grand Corbin Despagne explains.
Tangible and concrete ideas like: putting up of terraced hedges, environmental protection, soil survey to set up a collective drainage, common professional trainings for the different teams of the châteaux, oenotourism, tastings abroad, communication actions. They are very keen to find their roots and the origin of their name, with the support of a historian, to comprehend the close links between History and the Corbin wines.
Fax : +33 (0)5 57 25 22 00
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