| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The 2014 Canon has an intense bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, briary and light tobacco scents, gradually gaining more precision with aeration yet remaining classic in style. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity, harmonious and poised with a structured yet precise finish that is pure class. Perhaps you might argue that it lacks some charm at this early stage but at the same time, I am fascinated to see how it will age. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. Drink 2022 - 2050.
Intense aromas of minerals, chalk, bright cherries and stones. Full-bodied, tight and silky; very linear. Like a straight shot. Give it three to four years to soften. Vibrant is the word.
The 2014 Canon is deep garnet-brick in color. Broody notions of stewed tea, dusty soil, and fried herbs slowly open out to a core of prunes and dried cranberries with a hint of mossy tree bark. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers classically styled savory flavors with a soft texture and just enough freshness, finishing with a spicy lift.
Still quite blue but less intense colour than the 2015. Mild, muted nose without real insistence. Mild mannered. Everything in the right place and just a little sinewy.
Drink 2023-2040
There has been huge investment here recently in the vineyard (which is planted 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc) and chai by owners Chanel. The Chateau itself is now enjoying a substantial make-over. This is a great property that made fabulous wines in the past but dipped in form during the 1990's. It is now right back up there as one of the very best of all the Saint Emilion Chateaux. Canon is an increasingly rare example of a traditional Saint Emilion from a great terroir - situated at the heart of the plateau - that is being made to be enjoyed with food rather than score points at blind tastings. It was often under-estimated in the past by Robert Parker in favour of the "blockbuster" neighbours . The wines here always display elegance and class which is not something that can be said about some of the more manufactured "modern" efforts in Saint Emilion. 72% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, with a yield of 36hl/ha. 18 months in 70& new oak. Medium-deep ruby. Lovely purity on the nose. Very floral, with delicate cherry fruit. Very precise. Silky texture and lovely balance with poise and elegance. A delicious fleshy red fruit character with smooth and silky tannins with refreshing acidity and definition. Velvety finish with red cherry, plum and sweet vanilla. Very nicely done.
While a step back from the 2015, the 2014 Château Canon is still a strong effort that shows the hallmark elegance of the 2014 vintage. Black raspberries, cherries, exotic spices and lots of floral notes emerge from this medium to full-bodied, extraordinarily elegant, seamless Saint-Emilion that shines for its complexity and nuance more than for power and richness. Drink this beauty anytime over the coming 15-20 years. 2018 - 2038
A fresh, pure style, with lots of floral and black tea notes out front, followed by a tightly focused beam of red currant, plum and raspberry coulis flavors. The finish sports a mouthwatering chalky spine and lovely perfume that should develop more with time. For fans of minerality. Best from 2022 through 2032. 6,665 cases made.
Perfumed and fragrant the nose has charm the black fruits overlaid with violets. The fruit is sweet the mid palate has depth richness cassis and blackberry. Fresher at the back a lovely balance bright with well handled tannins the finish slightly richer the fruit sweet. 2022-36
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. Drink date 2020 - 2050
The Château Canon 2014 is a blend of 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc, the estate moving towards the latter in terms of its new plantings, which will possibly see 40% in 15 or 20 years time. It was picked from 22 September until 6 October for the Merlot and three days later for the Cabernet Franc, matured in around 80% new oak. It has a glorious bouquet with great purity and delineation: raspberry, wild strawberry and small red cherries, very pure and harmonious. The palate is medium-bodied with sensual ripe, filigree tannin, just the right amount of salinity, precise and mineral-rich towards the exquisite, pure and “classic” finish. This is outstanding for the vintage – a sublime Château Canon that might dare rank alongside the 2009 and 2010. If this represents the valedictory Canon from John Kolasa, then what a way to bow out. Drink: 2018 - 2038.
A wonderful Canon with fabulous finesse and class. Full-bodied yet refined and polished. It touches your senses. Shows Right Bank made excellent wines in 2014!
Tasted blind. Splits the difference between all these styles: composed and mouth-filling. A bit forward but satisfying. Ripe but not heavy. Meaty. Well done! Long.
Drink 2023-2038
Mid to deep crimson. Full, opulent nose. Sweet start and then a little pinched on the end - there isn't the broad sweep of fruit on the palate that was suggested by the nose. Correct but very introvert. One of the more youthful St-Émilions.
Drink 2024-2032
