Château Corbin

Château Corbin sits at the northwestern edge of Saint-Émilion, directly bordering the Pomerol appellation. This position is significant: the estate lies on gentle slopes where the geology transitions between two of Bordeaux's most celebrated right-bank terroirs. The château itself is a neo-classical structure built in the 18th century incorporating 16th-century architectural elements, and the estate's viticultural history stretches back to the 15th century.

• Located on the northwestern boundary of Saint-Émilion, adjacent to Pomerol
• Gentle slopes across 13 hectares of vines
• One of the older continuously farmed estates in the appellation, with origins in the 1400s

Corbin's terroir is defined by meaningful soil variation across the estate. Ancient sands surrounding the château sit over iron-rich clay subsoil, contributing delicacy and finesse to the wines. Clay soils on the Pomerol-facing side of the property add richness and structure. Additional parcels of clay and clay-sand over iron-rich clay subsoil complete the picture, giving the winemaking team varied raw material to work with each vintage. The iron-rich subsoil, known locally as crasse de fer or machefer, is a recurring thread linking Corbin to the broader northwest Saint-Émilion and Pomerol terroir.

• Ancient sands over iron-rich clay subsoil near the château: source of finesse
• Clay soils on the Pomerol side: source of body and richness
• Clay and clay-sand over iron-rich clay subsoil in other parcels
• Iron-rich subsoil connects the estate to the classic northwest Saint-Émilion and Pomerol terroir character

The estate is planted overwhelmingly to Merlot at 90%, with Cabernet Franc making up the remaining 10%. This blend is consistent with the northwest Saint-Émilion style and reflects the estate's Pomerol-adjacent terroir, where Merlot thrives in the clay-enriched soils. The temperate maritime climate of Bordeaux governs the growing season, with the microclimate at Corbin influenced by the proximity to Pomerol.

• 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
• Merlot dominance suits the clay-rich, iron-subsoil terroir
• Temperate maritime climate

Château Corbin has been in the same family since 1924, an unusual continuity for a classified Bordeaux estate. The property passed through female heirs across multiple generations. In the late 1990s, Anabelle Cruse and her sisters acquired the majority shareholding, and Anabelle took over management as owner-oenologist in 1999. She became sole owner in 2007. Her dual role as both proprietor and practicing oenologist shapes the estate's winemaking philosophy directly, with no separation between ownership and technical decision-making.

• Same family ownership since 1924
• Passed through female heirs for multiple generations
• Anabelle Cruse Bardinet has managed the estate since 1999 and became sole owner in 2007
• Anabelle serves as both owner and oenologist, an unusual combination at classified Bordeaux estates

Château Corbin produces structured, expressive red wine that reflects the duality of its terroir: the finesse of ancient sands and the richness of Pomerol-side clay. On release, the wines show juicy plum and black cherry fruit alongside chocolate and sweet spice, underpinned by a rich, mouth-drying tannic structure. With age, savory notes of tobacco and cedar emerge. The style sits comfortably between the opulence associated with Pomerol and the more mineral-edged expression found in parts of Saint-Émilion, making Corbin a distinctive estate within the Grand Cru Classé tier.