2022 Grand Corbin-Despagne, St-Emilion

A real sense of intent on the nose here, with well-defined black summer fruits, black raspberry, black pepper, rose petals and a touch of dark chocolate. This is followed by a deliciously precise and driven style on the palate, juicy and fresh, filled out with fragrant summer fruits, rose and peony, with touches of coffee bean and chocolate, all resting on a fine-boned tannic structure and lively acidity. Gloriously fresh, with a lightly bitter, tannin-gripped finish, long and convincing, this is a lovely wine from François Despagne which should evolve beautifully.

Coming from the northern reaches of St-Emilion, not far from Pomerol, this under-the-radar gem does a wonderful job of borrowing from both regions, combining the depth of its clay-rich soils with a healthy proportion of Cabernet Franc that brings lift, perfume, and definition. It is a compelling expression of this corner of the Right Bank, where richness and structure come together with real finesse. Their 2022 is another screaming success in this heralded vintage, displaying the inherent richness of the year but with terrific lift and detail throughout. Deep plum and dark berry fruit mingle with fine, mineral-rich tannins, a wonderfully polished texture, and a long, entrancing finish that keeps unfolding in the glass. It is a luxurious but refined wine, with the structure and balance to age beautifully, but nearly irresistible as it is today.