Chateau Rocher Corbin Montagne-Saint-Emilion 2018

Rocher Corbin has been in the Durand family for four generations, and Philippe Durand farms its single ten-hectare block organically on the highest hill in Montagne-Saint-Emilion. Up here the vines are old, with more than a chunk over eighty years and a rare patch of pre-phylloxera Merlot said to be around 150. He works with a light touch: hand-harvesting, wild-yeast fermentation, minimal sulfur. The 2018 is mostly Merlot with Cabernet Franc, and it delivers bright fruit, floral aromatics and fine tannins. Honest, characterful Right Bank Bordeaux from a grower who lets the old vines do the talking.