| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This is a great property that made fabulous wines in the past, but dipped in form during the 1990s until the Fournier family sold it in 1996. Huge improvements and investments were then made - in vineyard and chai - by former manager John Kolasa and new owners Chanel. The château itself has recently enjoyed a substantial make-over. It is now right back up there as one of the very best of all the Saint Emilion châteaux. Winemaking director Nicolas Audebert came in from Krug via South America and had an amazing start to his career at Canon. His triumphant 100 point 2015 has been followed by a string of great vintages, yet release prices remain sensible. The vineyard is planted 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc. There is also a very good second label called Croix Canon.
The 2025 is 76% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc from a healthy yield of 40 hl/ha. Elevage is in 49% new oak, 44% second fill from five coopers (Sylvain, Taransaud, Quintessence, Demptos and St Martin) and 7% in foudres. ABV 14%. They described it to us as being "intense, deeply coloured, precise and with remarkable freshness". The harvest started in August here and ended on September 18th.
A blend of 76% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Franc, the 2025 Canon continues this property's brilliant decade-long run of exceptional wines. Unwinding in the glass with a complex bouquet of cherries and raspberries mingled with hints of exotic spices, licorice and petals, it's medium- to full-bodied, suave and concentrated, with a bright spine of acidity and a long, penetrating finish. Harvest stretched from August 28 to September 18.
The 2025 Canon was picked between August 28 and September 18 at 40 hl/ha. This is very pure and refined on the nose, with wonderful delineation, not as flattering as, say, the 2015 or 2019 at this stage, yet very focused and mineral-driven. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins, quite sapid, with a pinch of cracked black pepper. Like its "sister", Berliquet, the limestone terroir comes through and seems to "tingle" on the finish. Maybe not a crowd-pleaser, but I like its uncompromising nature that reflects its place of birth.Drinking Window
2032 - 2055
This year's Canon has an intense and complex nose, with iron-inflected fruit and a strong floral character. There are forest fruits, cherry blossom and iris all on show. The palate has the same profile with chalky tannins and a real salinity to give it poise and a moreish nature. With time in the glass, the palate gains breadth, the tannins yielding into darker notes of cherry and even cassis, but it never loses the vibrant, refreshing lift of those floral tones. Very long and loaded with potential.
The finesse and sophistication are very impressive, with a medium body, ultra-fine tannins and a rather endless finish. It’s medium-bodied ad poised. Great length. A great wine.
An impressive Canon, seductive limestone character that showcases what was possible in the vintage. Slate, chalk and pumice stone, all wrapped up in bright and vivid iris flowers, push and pull momentum through the palate where things stop, take a breath, then kick off again with a new layer of nuanced understated toasted spice and cool blue fruits. Deft, skilful, rooted in place. 40hl/h yield. Tasted twice. Nicolas Audebert director. Thomas Duclos consultant. 3.5ph. 2028-2040.
The 2025 Canon is a total stunner. Deep and sumptuous in the glass, it offers tons of the vintage's textural intensity along with all the vibrant, saline energy that is such a signature here. Dark-fleshed fruit, mocha, new leather, herbs and dried flowers build gradually in the glass, leading to a huge, dramatic finish laced with hints of blood orange, pomegranate and chalk. The interplay of finesse and power is dazzling. Tasted two times. 2035-2065
