A blend of 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Canon has a pH of 3.69 and 14% alcohol. Deep garnet-purple in color, it tumbles effortlessly out of the glass with a gorgeous perfume of candied violets, preserved plums, black cherry compote and Ceylon tea with hints of kirsch, powdered cinnamon, chocolate box and fertile loam. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with juicy black fruit layers, supported by plush, oh-so-soft tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing long and fragrant.
Composed of 74% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc and aged for 18 months in 70% new French barriques, the 2016 Canon is medium to deep garnet-purple in colour, and—WOW—it opens with the most stunning perfume of violets, red roses and kirsch, giving way to a core of black cherry preserves, chocolate box, liquorice, warm plums and Chinese five spice plus an earthy waft of underbrush.
Medium to full-bodied, the palate is filled with expressive, perfumed black berry layers accented by lively red fruits and exotic spices, supported by impressively fine-grained tannins and fantastic tension, finishing very long with jaw-dropping energy.
Tasted three times, I had one opportunity to taste the 2015 and 2016 Canon side by side. While I love the bold, rich, seductive nature of the 2015, this 2016 kicks it up a notch in terms of polish, precision, depth, and persistence. Most notably, the superbly ripe, exquisitely fine-grained tannins on this 2016 bring to the table a whole other level of sophistication. Bravo!
The 2014 Canon has a very well-defined, precise bouquet with ebullient raspberry and wild strawberry scents infused with minerals. The aromatics here are utterly captivating. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and very well-judged acidity. There is tension and poise to this Saint Emilion, gently fanning out with a delicate spicy finish that lingers long in the mouth. Though surely destined to be over-shadowed by the extraordinary 2015, this Canon deserves a berth in your cellar.
Tasted from several bottles in recent months, the 2012 Canon is a stupendous wine for the vintage and if anything, it appears to be improving with each encounter. It clearly serves up more than enough volume and fruit intensity on the nose compared to the impressive 2011 Canon: it is very pure with black cherries, wild strawberry, asphalt and blood orange. This is very well defined and beautifully focused. The palate is medium-bodied, silky smooth and with that thrilling sense of frisson. There is so much vivacity wound up inside this Saint Emilion that it would not surprise me if it turns out to be one of the very best in 2012.
Château Canon is a prestigious winery located in the heart of the Saint-Émilion appellation in Bordeaux, France. Founded in 1750, the estate has been owned by the same family for over two centuries and is now run by the fifth generation of the same family. The estate is renowned for its production of high-quality red wines, made from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.
The estate is known for its traditional winemaking techniques, which have been passed down through the generations. The grapes are hand-picked and sorted before being fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wines are then aged in oak barrels for up to 18 months, depending on the vintage.
The wines of Château Canon are known for their intense aromas and flavours, with notes of blackberry, cassis, and spice. The wines are full-bodied and well-structured, with a long finish. The estate produces a range of wines, including a Grand Vin, a second wine, and a selection of white wines.
Château Canon is a benchmark producer in the Saint-Émilion appellation, and its wines are highly sought-after by collectors and connoisseurs alike. The estate is a testament to the centuries-old tradition of winemaking in Bordeaux, and its wines are a reflection of the region’s unique terroir. With its long history and dedication to quality, Château Canon is a winery that is sure to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Canon features wonderfully expressive notes of dried mulberries, stewed plums and baked black cherries with hints of mocha, bay leaves and fallen leaves. Full-bodied, opulent and super spicy, it has a plush texture with a racy line supporting the hedonic fruit, finishing with jaw-dropping persistence.
The 2005 Canon is evolving into a quite gorgeous Saint Emilion. One can still discern those brown spices infiltrating the ripe red and black fruit. There is fine minerality here, great focus, perhaps just a hint of dried blood that develops with time.
The palate is medium bodied with supple, ripe tannin. It is a very complex Saint Emilion with immense purity and style, a wine that you must keep coming back to to understand. It's at that pivotal stage between primary and secondary notes, the red and black fruit being overtaken by cedar, morels, and a touch of game. It gently lifts and fans out to a quite captivating finish.
Earthy, mineral-like nuances intermixed with cranberry and cherry notes are present in this medium-bodied, superficial, but complex, charming St.-Emilion. While lacking power and richness, it offers complex aromatics and flavors in a mid-weight, delicate format. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.
Complex aromatics of damp earth, dried herbs, cherries, fresh mushrooms, and currants are followed by a medium-bodied, attractively made, elegant wine. With admirable complexity and a nice finish, it should drink well for 10-15 years.
This elegant St.-Emilion has filled out nicely over the last decade. From barrel and post-bottling, I thought it might turn out austere, but that does not appear to be the case. It offers a deep ruby/purple color as well as copious aromas of black cherries, crushed rocks, and earthy undertones. While not a blockbuster, it is beautifully balanced and pure, revealing slightly more depth and richness than I expected. Drink it now and over the next 10-15 years.
