Château Saint-André Corbin
シャトー・サン・アンドレ・コルバン
A Gallo-Roman estate with artefacts in the Louvre, crafting powerful yet refined Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion from 70-year-old Cabernet Franc vines.
Château Saint-André Corbin is a historic estate in the Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion appellation, one of Bordeaux's smallest and most prestigious satellite appellations. The estate's origins trace back to the 4th century Gallo-Roman era, with historical records linking it to the Roman consul and poet Ausonius — archaeological excavations have uncovered remarkable artefacts, including a Venus statue now in the Musée d'Aquitaine and a Diana statue housed in the Louvre in Paris. The current château dates to 1842, and the Saby family took stewardship in the 1950s. Today, brothers Jean-Philippe and Jean-Christophe Saby — both oenologists and agricultural engineers representing nine generations of winemakers on Bordeaux's Right Bank — manage the property. The 19-hectare estate sits on south-facing plateaux and slopes with homogeneous clay-limestone soils over an astéries limestone subsoil, giving excellent drainage and water retention. Vines average 55 years of age, with 70-year-old original Bordeaux Cabernet Franc clones. Winemaking is precise and traditional: pre-fermentation cold maceration in cement vats for 3–4 days, an extended maceration of 4.5 weeks, then 12 months' ageing in French oak barrels from five different coopers with one-third renewed annually. The wines are bottled unfiltered and unfined, preserving natural complexity and terroir character.
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Who Is This For?
Ideal for Bordeaux lovers who seek historical depth, natural winemaking, and the finesse of Right Bank satellite appellations at accessible prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes the terroir of Château Saint-André Corbin special?
- The estate's 19 hectares lie on south-facing plateaux and slopes with homogeneous clay-limestone soils over an astéries limestone subsoil — a subsoil unique to this corner of the Right Bank. This combination provides excellent drainage in wet years while retaining moisture during dry summers, contributing to the wine's consistent balance and aromatic richness.
- Which grape varieties are used, and how old are the vines?
- The estate blends 75% Merlot with 25% Cabernet Franc. The Cabernet Franc vines are original Bordeaux clones averaging 70 years of age, while the overall average vine age across the estate is 55 years. These old vines naturally restrict yields, concentrating flavour and complexity in every bottle.
- Is the wine filtered or fined before bottling?
- No. Château Saint-André Corbin is bottled without filtration or fining, a deliberate choice by the Saby brothers to preserve the wine's natural texture, aromatic complexity, and terroir expression. The wines may therefore show a slight natural sediment in older vintages, which is a sign of their artisanal character.
- How long can vintages of Château Saint-André Corbin be cellared?
- Thanks to the firm clay-limestone terroir, extended maceration, and ageing in French oak, the wines build strong structure and can be enjoyed for 10–15 years from the vintage in ideal cellar conditions. Recent vintages such as 2022 (James Suckling 92 pts) have shown exceptional aging potential.
- How does this wine pair with food, including Japanese cuisine?
- The wine's dark fruit, earthy notes, and refined tannins pair beautifully with roasted and braised red meats, aged cheeses, and mushroom dishes. For Japanese cuisine, try it alongside wagyu beef steak with soy-based sauce, braised pork kakuni, or unagi no kabayaki (grilled eel) — the umami richness harmonises wonderfully with the wine's savoury depth.