Since acquiring châteaux Rauzan Ségla in 1994 and Canon in 1996, Chanel have spared no expense in renovating the wineries and vineyards in their respective left and right bank properties, overhauling the quality of the wines produced in the process.
One of the great benefits of this process has been the strict limiting of the fruit that goes into the top wines, meaning the second labels - Ségla and Croix Canon - have greatly improved in quality. Grapes that would otherwise be used for Grands Vins now make these superb value wines. Nowhere is this more evident than in the 2019 vintage.
At the recent 2019 Southwold tasting, both wines did incredibly well against much loftier and more expensive names. Ségla beat no fewer than 14 Margaux Crus Classés including many prestigious châteaux, proving itself to offer outstanding value for money. Neal Martin's recent review from the tasting is glowingly positive, saying it "always shines in blind tastings" and scoring it 93 points. Ségla is, of course, well-known to many Farr Vintners customers – who will want to purchase this newly released great vintage.
Not to be outdone, Croix Canon won its flight and outscored several big names in Saint Emilion, finishing in a dead heat with Petit Cheval (a wine that sells for five times the price). Neal Martin is similarly postitive here, praising its "fine delineation," saying "I can imagine finishing a bottle easily." Both he and our Master of Wine Thomas Parker gave it 92 points at Southwold.
Following from the tasting, both wines have just been released for the first time. We have snapped up parcels that include halves, magnums, double magnums and even a few imperials. These are wines that can be enjoyed now, and which will drink beautifully for over a decade - a great opportunity to enjoy what this outstanding vintage has to offer.
Minimum order - 12 bottles/6 magnums/24 halves
The wines will be available for delivery from next week
The 2019 Ségla has a tertiary, smoky, pencil box scented bouquet, a bit grouchier than its Margaux peers, stubborn in its flush of youth. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, pretty and quite elegant with a keen thread of acidity. There is impressive precision on the finish, quite mineral-driven with a satisfyingly persistent aftertaste. This Deuxième Vin always shines in blind tastings, its seductiveness shining through. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.
Drink 2026-2050
Tasted blind at Southwold. Brilliant ruby colour in the glass. Highly refined and subtle nose - layers of violet, blueberry and fresh blackcurrant wound together with savoury cedar and a hint of cocoa. The palate is vertical - fresh and lithe but deep, with subtle ripeness and deceptive intensity. Classically proportioned with a flourish of ripe blueberry and more blackcurrant at the core, this is very well done. Soft but persistent tannins give this a silky mouthfeel and great approachability. Effortlessly delicious.
The 2019 Croix Canon has a classically-styled bouquet with tobacco and cedar infused black fruit, more Left than Right Bank. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, but this is well-balanced, quite old school in style with a fresh, sapid finish. I can imagine finishing a bottle easily, though it needs cellar time. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. Drink 2025-2048.
Tasted blind at Southwold. Ruby-purple colour with pure, ripe plum fruit and a little graphite on the nose. This is polished but not overworked. The palate continues in the same vein, with pencil shavings and brambly fruit coming together with a lifted edge of cherry blossom. Cool and vibrant with good drive from bright acids, this is floral and admirably fresh in structure. Characterful with a light savoury grip on the long finish.
