JAMES SUCKLING: "This is really nicely crafted with a solid core of juicy dark fruit. Hints of cedar and vanilla. Chocolate, too. It's full-bodied with a long, focused finish. Extremely well crafted."

ROBERT PARKER - THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Very deep purple-black colored, the 2019 Grand Corbin-Despagne comes hurtling out of the glass with bombastic notes of stewed plums, baked black cherries, blueberry pie and mocha plus touches of cedar chest, menthol, cloves and pencil lead with an emerging waft of licorice. The full-bodied palate really packs a wallop, featuring concentrated, ripe black fruits and a firm frame of grainy tannins, with just enough freshness, finishing long with the wood standing out slightly. It's an ambitious wine that appears to have all the elements of greatness; it will just need a fair bit of time in barrel/bottle for everything to come together. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown"