"The Grande Cuvee selections see more oak, and I-m not sure they are better for it. The oak component restrains the exuberance of the fruit, which is reflected in the more streamlined and reticent aromatics. The blend uses much more Grenache and Syrah and less Carignan. The tightly wound 2011 Corbieres Grande Cuvee needs 3-4 more months of bottle age. It exhibits pleasant hints of licorice, vanillin, earth, black cherries and black currants."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #208, August 2013), 87 pts
Go To Castelmaure Grande Cuvee Corbieres
"The 2011 Grande Cuvée is composed of 45% Grenache, 45% Syrah and 10% Carignan from 40-year-old vines. This outstanding red offers Christmas fruitcake notes intermixed with licorice, kirsch, roasted Provençal herbs, spice and pepper. It is a flavorful, savory, medium to full-bodied offering with no hard edges. Consume it over the next 2-3 years. - Robert Parker"
"The two best buys for my taste (and even better than the 2014 Corbieres Col Des Vents) include the 2012 Corbieres Rouge Grand Cuvée, a blend of 45% Grenache, 45% Syrah and 10% Carignan, all from relatively older vines. This is a delicious, full-throttle red with plenty of strawberry and black cherry fruit moving toward blacker berries on the palate. The wine is medium to full-bodied, and has beautiful purity, decent acidity and ripe tannin. Drink it over the next 2-3 years."
"The smallest production cuvee is the 2013 Corbieres Grande Cuvee. An even split of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah aged in 70% in a new, 1, and 2 year-old barrels, with the balance in tank, it possesses a medium-bodied, nicely concentrated, balanced style as well as lots of plum, cedar, spice cabinet and dried flowers. It blossoms nicely with time in the glass and should drink well through 2023."
The 2014 Grande Cuvée Corbières is an even split of Grenache and Syrah that spent 10-12 months in French oak. It shows a slightly more modern style in its dark fruits, garrigue, candlewax, subtle oak-driven aromas and flavors. Balanced, medium-bodied, and attractively textured, it will evolve nicely for 6-8 years."
"Sleek and fresh, this medium-bodied red shows blackberry, currant and spiced plum flavors. Dried herb, licorice and violet details mingle with grippy tannins on the tangy finish. Drink now through 2021. 3,000 cases made. –GS"