The brilliant 2020 Canon looks set to surpass both the 2019 and 2016 as this estate's finest wine since the post-war period, though like many of the best 2020s, it will require more patience than its 2019 counterpart. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of cherries and raspberries mingled with notions of exotic spices and iris, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with vibrant acids and beautifully polished, chalky tannins. Pure and precise, it concludes with a long, mouthwatering finish. This beautifully constructed wine communicates the essence of this superb limestone terroir, and it will be worth a special effort to track down and cellar.
Composed of 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc and aged for 18 months in 70% new and 30% one-year-old barrels, the 2015 Canon is boldly fruited with blackberry preserves, black cherry compote, fruitcake, mocha and plum preserves with suggestions of Indian spices, licorice and black olives. Full-bodied and packed with ripe, rich dried berries and exotic spice layers, it has a firm, slightly chewy structure and just enough freshness (the pH is 3.78), finishing long and savory. Give it another 2-3 years of cellaring to soften its edges and allow its flavor spectrum to fully emerge, and drink it over the next 20 to 25+ years.
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 blackberry 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.
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.
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.
The 2011 Canon is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. It is undoubtedly one of the stars of the vintage, certainly one of the strongest offerings from Saint Emilion.
The nose is bright, animated and playful with copious red cherries, fresh strawberry and dark plum aromas bursting from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, backwards compared to more extrovert Saint Emilion such as La Mondotte- a tensile, poised Saint Emilion that is destined to last longer than its peers.
Classic in style, endearing and mineral-driven, this is a superb wine from the estate. This is a supreme success courtesy of former winemaker, John Kolasa.
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.
Tasted at the Château Canon vertical, 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 mineralité here, great focus, and 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 have to 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.
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.
The 2019 Canon has turned out brilliantly in bottle, wafting from the glass with complex aromas of raspberries and red plums mingled with notions of raw cocoa, dark chocolate, pencil shavings and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and multidimensional, it's one of the most refined, elegant right bank wines of the vintage, with a deep core of fruit, beautifully refined tannins, lively acids and a long, perfumed finish. This is a superb achievement for Nicolas Audebert and his team.
