Chateau Canon St. Emilion Bordeaux, Complete Guide

chateau-canon

Learn everything about Chateau Canon St. Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classe B with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairing tips. Learn all the best vintages, the history of the property, and information on their vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Canon History, Overview

Chateau Canon, located on the top of the Saint Emilion limestone plateau in view of the village started out life as a part of the Clos St. Martin vineyard in the 1700s.

In 1760, when the Saint Emilion vineyard was much smaller than it is today at 13 hectares, it was purchased by Jacques Kanon. Kanon was an interesting character who earned his fortune as a privateer. Privateer was society’s polite way of saying pirate in those days.

Jacques Kanon expanded the vineyard and estate, bringing it much closer in size to what we have today at Chateau Canon. Kanon also ordered the construction of the original chateau, which was completed in 1767. Kanon sold the estate to Raymond Fontemoing, a Bordeaux wine merchant, after owning the property for about a decade.

There seem to be conflicting theories as to where Chateau Canon took its name. Logically, it would appear that Canon is a phonetic spelling of Kanon. But the Fontemoing family, who just purchased the estate already owned a property in Fronsac named Chateau Canon when they bought their St. Emilion vineyards.

It’s reasonable to assume they wanted to expand their brand name and began selling both of their wines under the same name of Chateau Canon. Either way, by 1770, the wines of what we know of today as Chateau Canon had become an established St. Emilion wine.

In 1853, the great-granddaughter of Raymond Fontemoing officially changed the name of the property to Chateau Canon. The Fontemoing family retained their vineyard through 1857 when it went through being sold and resold multiple times until 1919.

That year, Gabriel Supau bought Chateau Canon as a gift for his daughter and her husband Andre Fournier. The Fournier family invested a lot of money and time in modernizing as well as renovating the estate and its vineyards.

Chateau Canon remained within their control until 1996. In that year, Chateau Canon was sold to Alain Wertheimer and Gerard Wertheimer, the owners of the famous luxury goods manufacturer Chanel.

Chateau Canon was managed by John Kolasa who also oversaw the Chanel group’s other Bordeaux property located in the Margaux appellation, Chateau Rauzan Segla, as well as their large, negociant company, Ulysse Cazabonne until 2015.

Much of the progress in the wines, vineyards, and cellars of Chateau Canon was due to multiple decades of intensive work and effort from the team of Chateau Canon, which was headed by John Kolasa.

Of course, that was coupled with a spare no expense attitude to make the best wine possible as well. After the Wertheimer brothers purchased Chateau Canon, the first order of business was to replant much of the vineyard, which had fallen into poor conditions.

The majority of the vineyard needed replanting. The state of dilapidation was due to disease, negligence, and a lack of funds.

Because the vineyard continues to be replanted in various stages, the replanting work in the vineyards of Chateau Canon is still continuing today. There were issues underneath the vineyards as well.

The underground, limestone quarries, and tunnels were in urgent need of shoring up, as there was a serious danger of a collapse. The entire range of wine-making facilities, vat rooms, and cellars was completely replaced and modernized as well.

In 2012, the chateau began an extensive renovation, which was completed in 2015. In 2014, Nicolas Audebert, the former winemaker at Cheval des Andes, the LVMH property in Mendoza Argentina, was hired to slowly replace the outgoing John Kolasa.

Once Nicolas Audebert was placed fully in charge, another change took place later that year when they brought in Thomas Duclos as their consultant.

Now that they are once again safe, the caves of Chateau Canon are one of the best sites available for wine lovers in the St. Emilion area to visit and explore.

People and builders began extracting the stone about a thousand years ago to build much of Saint Emilion, Libourne, and the villages around Bordeaux. And yes, that includes many of the famous chateaux in the appellation as well. It’s truly an amazing sight.

The limestone situated underneath Chateau Canon is easy to cut. But once it’s outside in contact with air, the stone becomes incredibly hard and dense. It becomes almost impenetrably solid. That is why limestone makes for great building materials. In the 1860s, the quarries were ordered closed due to excessive pilfering of the natural stone.

In the 1950s, some of the caves were used to grow mushrooms. The caves are massive and allow visitors to walk from chateau to chateau. From Canon, you can walk to Beau-Sejour Becot or Clos Fourtet. Gates are all that separate the different estates. The constant temperature of the quarries helps protect the Bordeaux wine vineyard from extreme weather conditions.

Chateau Canon Character and Style

Chateau Canon is a stylish Bordeaux wine. With a real sensation of minerality, ripe dark berries, licorice, and spicy scents, coupled with an opulent personality. It is a wine for consumers with patience. That is because Chateau Canon often takes at least 10-15 or more years before it’s open and ready to drink.

Buyers of Chateau Canon should not be seeking immediate gratification. Instead, they should be willing wait for the complexities that come with age.

The best vintages of Chateau Canon are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2000, 1989, 1982, 1959, 1955, 1953, 1950, 1947 and 1945. Chateau Canon is one of the longest lived wines in St. Emilion, so older vintages could be worth looking into.

While there have been numerous great vintages made at Chateau Canon over the years, 2015 Canon is clearly the best wine ever produced in the history of the property. In fact, in a vintage that is famous for the wines of the Right Bank, 2015 Canon is a contender for wine of the vintage. The team of Nicolas Audebert really did a great job! 2018, 2019, and 2020 are almost at the same level of quality!

Chateau Canon Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 34-hectare vineyard of Chateau Canon is planted to 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. This shows a marked increase in the amount of Cabernet Franc in the vines. There has been a slow, ongoing program to add more Cabernet Franc to the vineyard, which took over 15 years. And it is still ongoing!

Chateau Canon owns 34 hectares of vines. 24 of those hectares are classified as First Growth terroir and are used to produce Chateau Canon. The vineyard of Chateau Canon is located in the heart of the St. Emilion, on the top of the limestone plateau. The terroir is clay and limestone soils.

Their best parcels are close to the chateau, near the cemetery, and in front of the chateau, with views of the St. Emilion village. However, they also have vines further west, as you head to Libourne and on the other side of the slopes, not far from Chateau Quintus. They also have vines on the slopes, close to Chateau Angelus.

The vineyard is planted to a vine density that ranges from 5,500 to 6,500 vines per hectare. The newer plantings are all at higher levels of density. Due to the excessive amount or replanting needed when the estate was purchased in 1996, the vines are just now obtaining the age required to produce the level of high-quality wine Chateau Canon is capable of making.

The average age of the vines is now close to 30 years of age. There are old vines, some of which date back to the end of the 1930s. But a lot of the vines are still young and are just now coming into their own. As those vines continue aging, you can count on better vintages from Chateau Canon in the years to come.

The estate recently augmented the size of their vineyards with the purchase of Chateau Matras and prior to that, Chateau Cure Bon. Although the majority of those vines are being used to produce Croix Canon or were sold to other growers. In total, 3.5 hectares of Cure Bon were awarded First Growth status, and in record time, which is incredible, considering how slow the INAO is.

Chateau Canon Winemaking

To produce the wine of Chateau Canon, fermentation takes place in temperatures ranging from 28 – 32 degrees Celsius in double-walled, temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats. Chateau Canon uses 24 vats ranging in size from 56 hectoliters to 98 hectoliters.

This range of vat sizes allows the estate to vinify the wines on a parcel by parcel basis. Malolactic fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats, with a very minor percentage of the wine going through malolactic in French oak barrels. The wine is aged for an average of 18 months in 50% to 60%  new, French oak barrels.

There is a second wine, Croix Canon. Starting with the 2012 vintage, the previous name for the second wine, Clos Canon was changed to Croix Canon. On average, the annual production of Chateau Canon now hovers at close to 6,000 cases per vintage. The production can vary up, or down, depending on the quality of the vintage.

When to Drink Chateau Canon, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Canon is much better with at least 10-15 years of aging in good vintages. Young vintages can be decanted for 2-3 hours or more. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume.

Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau Canon offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 12-40 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Canon with Wine and Food Pairings

Chateau Canon is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau Canon is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Canon is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

www.chateaucanon.com

Château Canon Wine Tasting Notes

46 Vintages 540,646 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
99
Dark in color, the wine kicks open the door with its floral bouquet. From there, you find in the perfume, crushed stone, red fruits, licorice, spice, and wild cherries. On the palate, the wine is perfectly balanced between elegance and finesse on one side, and silky, fresh, sexiness and sensuality on the other side. The fruit shows a remarkable sense of purity. There are no hard edges. The finish is seamless. This is the best vintage since 2015. And in time, it could even be better! Drink from 2027-2060. 98-100 Pts.

Dark in color, the wine kicks open the door with its floral bouquet. From there, you find in the perfume, crushed stone, red fruits, licorice, spice, and wild cherries. On the palate, the wine is perfectly balanced between elegance and finesse on one side, and silky, fresh, sexiness and sensuality on the other side. The fruit shows a remarkable sense of purity. There are no hard edges. The finish is seamless. This is the best vintage since 2015. And in time, it could even be better! Drink from 2027-2060. 98-100 Pts.

6,543 Views   Tasted
2022
93
Flowers, cherries, spice, mint, spearmint, and licorice create the nose. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, fresh, sweet, soft, silky, and refined. The fruits are clean, pure, and elegant. The wine lingers, finishing with minty freshness. 2022 marks a change here. It is important to note that for the first time you find a majority of Cabernet Franc in the blend, which is 59% Cabernet Franc with 41% Merlot. Drink from 2025-2040. 92-94 Pts.

Flowers, cherries, spice, mint, spearmint, and licorice create the nose. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, fresh, sweet, soft, silky, and refined. The fruits are clean, pure, and elegant. The wine lingers, finishing with minty freshness. 2022 marks a change here. It is important to note that for the first time you find a majority of Cabernet Franc in the blend, which is 59% Cabernet Franc with 41% Merlot. Drink from 2025-2040. 92-94 Pts.

2,454 Views   Tasted
2021
95
Talk about on top of their game, even in the difficult 2021 vintage, Canon managed to produce one of the wines of the vintage! The perfume pops with little effort as you already find its bouquet of violets, spearmint, cigar wrappers, black cherries, plums, licorice and cocoa. And the palate is even better with its edgy freshness, sweet, red berries, plums and red plums, fresh cherries, herbs, and a touch of fennel along with salty accents in the elegant mid-palate and finish. The wine blends 71% Merlot with 29% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2055.

Talk about on top of their game, even in the difficult 2021 vintage, Canon managed to produce one of the wines of the vintage! The perfume pops with little effort as you already find its bouquet of violets, spearmint, cigar wrappers, black cherries, plums, licorice and cocoa. And the palate is even better with its edgy freshness, sweet, red berries, plums and red plums, fresh cherries, herbs, and a touch of fennel along with salty accents in the elegant mid-palate and finish. The wine blends 71% Merlot with 29% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2055.

296 Views   Tasted
The nose stands out with its nuances of flowers, crushed stones, spearmint, cigar wrapper, red plums, fresh cherries, herbs, and a touch of fennel. The wine is all about its freshness, purity, energy and elegant nature, finishing with silky tannins with their trademark touch of salt, mint leaf, and sweet, vibrant red berries. The wine blends 71% Merlot with 29% Cabernet Franc, 13.5% ABV. The harvest took place September 16 - October 6. Drink from 2026-2055. 94-96

The nose stands out with its nuances of flowers, crushed stones, spearmint, cigar wrapper, red plums, fresh cherries, herbs, and a touch of fennel. The wine is all about its freshness, purity, energy and elegant nature, finishing with silky tannins with their trademark touch of salt, mint leaf, and sweet, vibrant red berries. The wine blends 71% Merlot with 29% Cabernet Franc, 13.5% ABV. The harvest took place September 16 - October 6. Drink from 2026-2055. 94-96

3,067 Views   Tasted
2021
91
Vibrant, elegant, soft, forward, and already approachable with its core of flowers, leafy herbs, tobacco leaf, spearmint, and spicy, savory, olive-tinted, cherries. This fresh, medium-bodied wine is good to go on release. This is perfect for early drinking pleasure while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. Drink from 2024-2033.

Vibrant, elegant, soft, forward, and already approachable with its core of flowers, leafy herbs, tobacco leaf, spearmint, and spicy, savory, olive-tinted, cherries. This fresh, medium-bodied wine is good to go on release. This is perfect for early drinking pleasure while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. Drink from 2024-2033.

197 Views   Tasted
Medium-bodied, floral, bright, savory, fresh and crisp, with an underbrush, tobacco leaf and strawberry and red plum finish. This is perfect for early drinking pleasure, while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. Drink from 2022-2030. 89-91

Medium-bodied, floral, bright, savory, fresh and crisp, with an underbrush, tobacco leaf and strawberry and red plum finish. This is perfect for early drinking pleasure, while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. Drink from 2022-2030. 89-91

1,753 Views   Tasted
2020
98
A stunning textural experience with its silky, velvet drenched profiled. Aromatically, you find flowers, black, red and blue fruits, licorice, and crushed rocks in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is all about its polished silk profile, which is the perfect backdrop for all of its layers of sensuous fruits, freshness and purity, finishing with a touch of salt on the backend. The seamless finish delivers length going on for over 50 seconds. Drink from 2025-2060.

A stunning textural experience with its silky, velvet drenched profiled. Aromatically, you find flowers, black, red and blue fruits, licorice, and crushed rocks in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is all about its polished silk profile, which is the perfect backdrop for all of its layers of sensuous fruits, freshness and purity, finishing with a touch of salt on the backend. The seamless finish delivers length going on for over 50 seconds. Drink from 2025-2060.

10,086 Views   Tasted
Aromatically, this is off the hook with flowers, black, red and blue fruits, licorice, black raspberry, forest leaf, wild cherries and crushed rocks. With polished silk and velvet textures, the wine balances weight, depth, energy and concentration. The layers of perfectly ripe, sweet, fresh, red and black fruits keep on coming. On the palate the wine is both concentrated and weightless, making this is far too easy to drink. The seamless finish delivers length and purity that goes on for more than 60 seconds. This is as good as the famous 2015, and by the time it is in bottle, it could be even better. The wine blends 68% Merlot with 32% Cabernet Franc. 14.5% ABV pH 3.53 98-100 Pts

Aromatically, this is off the hook with flowers, black, red and blue fruits, licorice, black raspberry, forest leaf, wild cherries and crushed rocks. With polished silk and velvet textures, the wine balances weight, depth, energy and concentration. The layers of perfectly ripe, sweet, fresh, red and black fruits keep on coming. On the palate the wine is both concentrated and weightless, making this is far too easy to drink. The seamless finish delivers length and purity that goes on for more than 60 seconds. This is as good as the famous 2015, and by the time it is in bottle, it could be even better. The wine blends 68% Merlot with 32% Cabernet Franc. 14.5% ABV pH 3.53 98-100 Pts

11,747 Views   Tasted
2020
92
Dried flowers, black raspberries, kirsch, licorice, citrus rind and spice create the gorgeous nose. On the palate, the medium-bodied wine is even better with its showy display of fresh, silky, red plums, cherries and supple-textured, elegant finish, with just a hint of salty rocks that comes in at the very end of the finish. Drink from 2023-2037.

Dried flowers, black raspberries, kirsch, licorice, citrus rind and spice create the gorgeous nose. On the palate, the medium-bodied wine is even better with its showy display of fresh, silky, red plums, cherries and supple-textured, elegant finish, with just a hint of salty rocks that comes in at the very end of the finish. Drink from 2023-2037.

1,672 Views   Tasted
2019
98
One of the few wines I was not able to taste in barrel, what's worth having is worth waiting for. This stunner presents an aromatic display combining crushed rocks, stones, flowers and red fruits. If that wasn't enough, the wine really kicks in on the palate with its freshness, concentration, energy, purity and length, which is the perfect backdrop for all the layers of refined, elegant, silky textured, red fruits along with that often, elusive sense of minerality on the palate and in the finish. Drink from 2034-2055.

One of the few wines I was not able to taste in barrel, what's worth having is worth waiting for. This stunner presents an aromatic display combining crushed rocks, stones, flowers and red fruits. If that wasn't enough, the wine really kicks in on the palate with its freshness, concentration, energy, purity and length, which is the perfect backdrop for all the layers of refined, elegant, silky textured, red fruits along with that often, elusive sense of minerality on the palate and in the finish. Drink from 2034-2055.

9,122 Views   Tasted
2019
91
Forward, silky, fresh and vibrant, with a clear focus on its core of lifted red fruits and flowers. Medium-bodied, refined and vibrant, with an already delicious display of sweet, fresh, cherries, you can enjoy this beauty on release while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. Drink from 2022-2034.

Forward, silky, fresh and vibrant, with a clear focus on its core of lifted red fruits and flowers. Medium-bodied, refined and vibrant, with an already delicious display of sweet, fresh, cherries, you can enjoy this beauty on release while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. Drink from 2022-2034.

1,272 Views   Tasted
2018
99
Wow, that's what I am talking about! Flowers and crushed rocks galore, with layers of sweet, perfectly ripe, cherries and plums that offers incredible purity. Elegant, silky and sexy, with a seamless finish gracefully coating your palate with endless layers of sensuously textured ripe fruits and cashmere tannins. This is effortless to drink. This will give the triple digit 2015 a run for the money when it matures. The wine blends 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc, 14% ABV.

Wow, that's what I am talking about! Flowers and crushed rocks galore, with layers of sweet, perfectly ripe, cherries and plums that offers incredible purity. Elegant, silky and sexy, with a seamless finish gracefully coating your palate with endless layers of sensuously textured ripe fruits and cashmere tannins. This is effortless to drink. This will give the triple digit 2015 a run for the money when it matures. The wine blends 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc, 14% ABV.

7,418 Views   Tasted
With delicate, cashmere tannins, the wine is lavish, opulent, fresh and loaded with ripe black fruits, licorice, smoke, plums, minerals, flowers and cherries. The wine balances perfectly with elegance and a wealth of sensuous fruits. There is length, which is what the doctor ordered as you want to enjoy as much of this for as long as possible. The wine blends 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc, 14% ABV. Picking took place September 7 to October 9, making 2018 the longest harvest in the history of the property. 97-99 Pts

With delicate, cashmere tannins, the wine is lavish, opulent, fresh and loaded with ripe black fruits, licorice, smoke, plums, minerals, flowers and cherries. The wine balances perfectly with elegance and a wealth of sensuous fruits. There is length, which is what the doctor ordered as you want to enjoy as much of this for as long as possible. The wine blends 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc, 14% ABV. Picking took place September 7 to October 9, making 2018 the longest harvest in the history of the property. 97-99 Pts

9,082 Views   Tasted
2018
91
Medium bodied, fresh, refined, sweet, soft textured red fruits provide a good entry in the Grand Vin. You can drink this now while waiting for its big brother to age and evolve.

Medium bodied, fresh, refined, sweet, soft textured red fruits provide a good entry in the Grand Vin. You can drink this now while waiting for its big brother to age and evolve.

1,839 Views   Tasted
2018
90
Medium bodied, elegant, forward, soft and fresh, with ample ripe, red fruits and licorice to keep you busy, waiting for its big brother to mature. 89-91 Pts

Medium bodied, elegant, forward, soft and fresh, with ample ripe, red fruits and licorice to keep you busy, waiting for its big brother to mature. 89-91 Pts

3,502 Views   Tasted
2017
95
Juicy, sweet, fresh and stony, the lively, ripe, red berries taste as if they were crushed and drizzled over rocks and stones. Add in some licorice, touch of smoke, silky tannins and an assortment of plums, and well, you get the idea. Lay this down for about a decade before pulling a cork.

Juicy, sweet, fresh and stony, the lively, ripe, red berries taste as if they were crushed and drizzled over rocks and stones. Add in some licorice, touch of smoke, silky tannins and an assortment of plums, and well, you get the idea. Lay this down for about a decade before pulling a cork.

7,293 Views   Tasted
With a dark red-purple color, the wine is supple and sleek. The fruit is ambrosial. There is vigor and length. The finish lingers along the tiers of ripe dark and red fruits and glycerin. Formulated from a blend of 73% Merlot and 27% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 14% ABV.

With a dark red-purple color, the wine is supple and sleek. The fruit is ambrosial. There is vigor and length. The finish lingers along the tiers of ripe dark and red fruits and glycerin. Formulated from a blend of 73% Merlot and 27% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 14% ABV.

10,359 Views   Tasted
2016
97
Tightening up at the moment, but with decanting and coaxing you can find the strong floral bouquet, with additional nuances of red plums, black cherries, licorice, smoke, espresso, and spice. The wine is full, deep, polished, fresh, lively, and refined, with a finish of pure elegance. However, it is resting at the moment, so it is best to wait a few years before pulling a cork. Drink from 2025-2055.

Tightening up at the moment, but with decanting and coaxing you can find the strong floral bouquet, with additional nuances of red plums, black cherries, licorice, smoke, espresso, and spice. The wine is full, deep, polished, fresh, lively, and refined, with a finish of pure elegance. However, it is resting at the moment, so it is best to wait a few years before pulling a cork. Drink from 2025-2055.

7,824 Views   Tasted
Flowers,, smoke, thyme, crushed rocks, citrus, mint and dark red fruits create a complex perfume. The wine is full-bodied, deep and loaded with perfectly ripe, lush, intense, mouth filling fruits. There is length, purity, freshness, complexity and sensuous, silky characteristics in the finish. This is a stunner!

Flowers,, smoke, thyme, crushed rocks, citrus, mint and dark red fruits create a complex perfume. The wine is full-bodied, deep and loaded with perfectly ripe, lush, intense, mouth filling fruits. There is length, purity, freshness, complexity and sensuous, silky characteristics in the finish. This is a stunner!

10,011 Views   Tasted
The second vintage for Nicolas Audebert is another home-run! With a deep attention grabbing color, the nose offers its blend of black cherry, plum, licorice, flowers, salt and stone, with just a bit of coaxing. Fresh, bright, ripe red fruits are all over the place, giving you a sexy, sensual, sweet, fruit filled finish.

The second vintage for Nicolas Audebert is another home-run! With a deep attention grabbing color, the nose offers its blend of black cherry, plum, licorice, flowers, salt and stone, with just a bit of coaxing. Fresh, bright, ripe red fruits are all over the place, giving you a sexy, sensual, sweet, fruit filled finish.

9,761 Views   Tasted
Crisp, fresh, vibrant, lively red fruits, freshly picked flowers and stone are the first things you notice. On the palate, the wine is full bodied, silky, concentrated and precise, with lift and energy in the finish. This will be ageworthy and require 15 years or so before offering its ample charms.

Crisp, fresh, vibrant, lively red fruits, freshly picked flowers and stone are the first things you notice. On the palate, the wine is full bodied, silky, concentrated and precise, with lift and energy in the finish. This will be ageworthy and require 15 years or so before offering its ample charms.

11,791 Views   Tasted
Inkjet black purple in color, you have depth, length and concentration. There is a waterfall of flawlessly ripe fruit and a quarry of crushed rocks with licorice and flowers. This is a wealthy wine, infused with lushness, opulence, density and intensity. The finish lingers, owing to the layers of ripe fruit and glycerin. The wine was made from a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14.2% ABV with a pH of 3.6.

Inkjet black purple in color, you have depth, length and concentration. There is a waterfall of flawlessly ripe fruit and a quarry of crushed rocks with licorice and flowers. This is a wealthy wine, infused with lushness, opulence, density and intensity. The finish lingers, owing to the layers of ripe fruit and glycerin. The wine was made from a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14.2% ABV with a pH of 3.6.

12,082 Views   Tasted
2015
100
Mark my words, this is a future legendary vintage for Canon! It gets everything right from the moment the wine hits the glass. Aromatically, the wine offers flowers, crushed rock, black and red fruits, spearmint, licorice, and hints of tobacco. On the palate, it is even better with its multiple layers of silk-drenched fruits, cashmere tannins, and seamless, over 60-second finish. This is so good now, and it has only started on its journey. Drink from 2022-2060.

Mark my words, this is a future legendary vintage for Canon! It gets everything right from the moment the wine hits the glass. Aromatically, the wine offers flowers, crushed rock, black and red fruits, spearmint, licorice, and hints of tobacco. On the palate, it is even better with its multiple layers of silk-drenched fruits, cashmere tannins, and seamless, over 60-second finish. This is so good now, and it has only started on its journey. Drink from 2022-2060.

9,939 Views   Tasted
Truffle, flowers, smoke, licorice, wet earth, dark plums and black cherry aromas reach your nose as soon as the wine hits the glass. Full bodied, sensuous and silky, the wine is deeply concentrated and also effortless to drink. The finish lingers for close to 60 seconds. This is a future legend in the making.

Truffle, flowers, smoke, licorice, wet earth, dark plums and black cherry aromas reach your nose as soon as the wine hits the glass. Full bodied, sensuous and silky, the wine is deeply concentrated and also effortless to drink. The finish lingers for close to 60 seconds. This is a future legend in the making.

15,322 Views   Tasted
Wow! No, make that a double wow, this tremendous wine has it all. That is, if you like silky, sensuous textures, layer after layer of deep, perfectly ripe, black and red fruits, a nose that blends just picked scents of flowers, cherries, tobacco, crushed rocks and wet earth aromatics. I am sticking with my initial descriptor here, this is the ultimate, intellectual, sex bomb. I am happy to have this stunner in my cellar.

Wow! No, make that a double wow, this tremendous wine has it all. That is, if you like silky, sensuous textures, layer after layer of deep, perfectly ripe, black and red fruits, a nose that blends just picked scents of flowers, cherries, tobacco, crushed rocks and wet earth aromatics. I am sticking with my initial descriptor here, this is the ultimate, intellectual, sex bomb. I am happy to have this stunner in my cellar.

15,841 Views   Tasted
Still on the right road to triple digit stardom, this debut vintage under the direction of Nicolas Audebert rocks! The wine is firming up a bit, adding more structure and nuances, while maintaining the wall of perfectly ripe fruit, sexy textures and polished tannins. Early buyers that took our advice on this one are sitting on liquid gold!

Still on the right road to triple digit stardom, this debut vintage under the direction of Nicolas Audebert rocks! The wine is firming up a bit, adding more structure and nuances, while maintaining the wall of perfectly ripe fruit, sexy textures and polished tannins. Early buyers that took our advice on this one are sitting on liquid gold!

17,026 Views   Tasted
The first vintage under the direction of Nicolas Audebert is a knockout! The color is dark and the nose complex. Its floral, stone, boysenberry and blackberry liqueur profile commands your attention. On the palate, this wine is dense, thick, concentrated and focused on layers of fat, sweet, velvet-wrapped fruits. There is an astonishing level of density coupled with length, minerality and purity of fruit in this wine. It’s made with such a high level of artisanship and style, it’s hard not to want to drink it right now! The best way to sum up this wine: it’s an intellectual, sex bomb! Angelina Jolie meets Madame Curie. Made from a blend of 73% Merlot and 27% Cabernet Franc. 98-100 Pts

The first vintage under the direction of Nicolas Audebert is a knockout! The color is dark and the nose complex. Its floral, stone, boysenberry and blackberry liqueur profile commands your attention. On the palate, this wine is dense, thick, concentrated and focused on layers of fat, sweet, velvet-wrapped fruits. There is an astonishing level of density coupled with length, minerality and purity of fruit in this wine. It’s made with such a high level of artisanship and style, it’s hard not to want to drink it right now! The best way to sum up this wine: it’s an intellectual, sex bomb! Angelina Jolie meets Madame Curie. Made from a blend of 73% Merlot and 27% Cabernet Franc. 98-100 Pts

15,608 Views   Tasted
2014
92
On the fresh, bright, mineral driven side of the style range, with a floral, crushed rock, fennel and cherry core of fruit and spice. Give this at least 5-7 years to come together.

On the fresh, bright, mineral driven side of the style range, with a floral, crushed rock, fennel and cherry core of fruit and spice. Give this at least 5-7 years to come together.

7,973 Views   Tasted
Black cherry, licorice, tobacco, crushed stone and wet earth on the nose, this wine has a fresh, silky, soft, sweet, red berry center, finishing with freshness and lively, ripe cherries. Blended with 72% Merlot with 28% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 14% ABV with a pH of 3.7 and is aging in 70% new, French oak barrels. 91-93 Pts

Black cherry, licorice, tobacco, crushed stone and wet earth on the nose, this wine has a fresh, silky, soft, sweet, red berry center, finishing with freshness and lively, ripe cherries. Blended with 72% Merlot with 28% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 14% ABV with a pH of 3.7 and is aging in 70% new, French oak barrels. 91-93 Pts

6,112 Views   Tasted
2014
90
Ready to drink, soft, plummy earthy, medium-bodied, fresh wine with a licorice and cherry-oriented, easy-drinking finish. No decanting required Just pop and pour.

Ready to drink, soft, plummy earthy, medium-bodied, fresh wine with a licorice and cherry-oriented, easy-drinking finish. No decanting required Just pop and pour.

3,268 Views   Tasted
2013
90
Close to mature, the wine is light, fresh and already easy drinking. You find fresh red cherries, hints of licorice and earth from start to finish. Splash decanting was more than ample for the wine to show its best.

Close to mature, the wine is light, fresh and already easy drinking. You find fresh red cherries, hints of licorice and earth from start to finish. Splash decanting was more than ample for the wine to show its best.

5,389 Views   Tasted
Fresh, bright, mineral driven and filled with plums, flowers, cherries and a hint of oak, the wine is medium bodied, stony and focused. Showing much better from the bottle than it did in barrel, with a few years of age, this could be even better.

Fresh, bright, mineral driven and filled with plums, flowers, cherries and a hint of oak, the wine is medium bodied, stony and focused. Showing much better from the bottle than it did in barrel, with a few years of age, this could be even better.

2,535 Views   Tasted
With a hint of oak, flowers and dark cherries, the wine is medium bodied, sweet, soft and forward in style with a light, fresh red berry and spice finish. Using 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc for the blend, the wine reached 13% ABV. The Grand Vin represents 53.6% of the production. The wine is aging in 70% new, french oak. 89-91 Pts

With a hint of oak, flowers and dark cherries, the wine is medium bodied, sweet, soft and forward in style with a light, fresh red berry and spice finish. Using 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc for the blend, the wine reached 13% ABV. The Grand Vin represents 53.6% of the production. The wine is aging in 70% new, french oak. 89-91 Pts

2,180 Views   Tasted
2013
86
With light, fresh red fruits and spice, this easy-to-drink wine is perfect for restaurants. 85-88 Pts

With light, fresh red fruits and spice, this easy-to-drink wine is perfect for restaurants. 85-88 Pts

1,772 Views   Tasted
2012
92
Crushed stone, espresso, truffle and roasted plum create the already complex aromas. On the palate, the wine is soft, medium/full bodied with a sweet, spicy, elegant, finesse styled, soft, black cherry and thyme finish.

Crushed stone, espresso, truffle and roasted plum create the already complex aromas. On the palate, the wine is soft, medium/full bodied with a sweet, spicy, elegant, finesse styled, soft, black cherry and thyme finish.

4,507 Views   Tasted
Earth, stone, fresh red berries, medium-bodied, soft and fresh, this is a forward style for Canon, making it one of the vintages tasters can enjoy young. 90-92 Pts

Earth, stone, fresh red berries, medium-bodied, soft and fresh, this is a forward style for Canon, making it one of the vintages tasters can enjoy young. 90-92 Pts

4,980 Views   Tasted
2011
92
It's hard to believe a wine of this quality was produced in a difficult vintage, but the truth is in the glass. Right? Here you find beautifully, ripe, sweet, fresh cherries, earthy nuances, medium body, soft ripe tannins and a purity of fruit in the finish that holds its own. 3-5 years of cellaring will have this really showing well.

It's hard to believe a wine of this quality was produced in a difficult vintage, but the truth is in the glass. Right? Here you find beautifully, ripe, sweet, fresh cherries, earthy nuances, medium body, soft ripe tannins and a purity of fruit in the finish that holds its own. 3-5 years of cellaring will have this really showing well.

4,992 Views   Tasted
Tight, the wine needed coaxing to bring out its mineral driven, black raspberry, plum, dark cherry and oak nose. The fruit is bright, fresh, deep and dominated by spicy, ripe red berries and kirsch in the long finish.

Tight, the wine needed coaxing to bring out its mineral driven, black raspberry, plum, dark cherry and oak nose. The fruit is bright, fresh, deep and dominated by spicy, ripe red berries and kirsch in the long finish.

5,056 Views   Tasted
Blending 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13.55% ABV and will be aged in 70% new oak. The Merlot was harvested starting September 7, for the young vines and September 13 for the old vines, ending September16. Cabernet Franc was picked September 16 -17. Floral, stone, cherry blossom, black raspberry and kirsch create the complex aromatics. Silky, soft and fresh, the precise finish ends with round, sweet, pure red berries and minerality. 92-93 Pts

Blending 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13.55% ABV and will be aged in 70% new oak. The Merlot was harvested starting September 7, for the young vines and September 13 for the old vines, ending September16. Cabernet Franc was picked September 16 -17. Floral, stone, cherry blossom, black raspberry and kirsch create the complex aromatics. Silky, soft and fresh, the precise finish ends with round, sweet, pure red berries and minerality. 92-93 Pts

3,130 Views   Tasted
2010
94
Fresh, bright, pure and stony, The wine is medium-bodied, elegant and uplifting, with loads of sweet, red fruits and plum in the finish. This is a long term ager, so, give it at least 5 years or more for further development.

Fresh, bright, pure and stony, The wine is medium-bodied, elegant and uplifting, with loads of sweet, red fruits and plum in the finish. This is a long term ager, so, give it at least 5 years or more for further development.

6,418 Views   Tasted
Canon is never the ripest or richest wine, instead it offers a finesse style, with ripe, fresh fruits coupled with a sense of purity, intense minerality and the structure to age and develop for decades. As the vineyard continues to age, I expect the future vintages of Chateau Canon will be even better in the years to come.

Canon is never the ripest or richest wine, instead it offers a finesse style, with ripe, fresh fruits coupled with a sense of purity, intense minerality and the structure to age and develop for decades. As the vineyard continues to age, I expect the future vintages of Chateau Canon will be even better in the years to come.

5,682 Views   Tasted
Minerality, licorice, toffee, red and black plums, blueberries, truffle and spice box aromas. This is the darkest color I have ever seen in a young vintage of Canon. It's also the ripes I;ve ever tasted. as well as the most ABVic. But there is no sensation of heat, even though this is 15% ABV by volume. With layers of concentrated ripe fruit, opulent textures and structure to age, this beautiful St. Emilion ends with a big mouthful of fresh, juicy, ripe, black raspberries, jam, licorice and black cherries. Like all great vintages of Canon, this will require at least a decade or more before it opens and starts to express its personality. 94-95 Pts

Minerality, licorice, toffee, red and black plums, blueberries, truffle and spice box aromas. This is the darkest color I have ever seen in a young vintage of Canon. It's also the ripes I;ve ever tasted. as well as the most ABVic. But there is no sensation of heat, even though this is 15% ABV by volume. With layers of concentrated ripe fruit, opulent textures and structure to age, this beautiful St. Emilion ends with a big mouthful of fresh, juicy, ripe, black raspberries, jam, licorice and black cherries. Like all great vintages of Canon, this will require at least a decade or more before it opens and starts to express its personality. 94-95 Pts

4,814 Views   Tasted
From a blend of 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, (which is the same mix as found in the vineyards,) the wine is deep ruby in color and reached 14.8% ABV. Yet, there is no sensation of heat. People who prefer tasting by the numbers could have problems with this wine, but I loved it! An intoxicating perfume filled with minerality, licorice, black raspberry jam, hints of oak and chocolate, this is the richest, most concentrated wine produced by the Kolasa team yet. Thick, intense and filled with fresh, perfectly ripe plums, blackberries and licorice, the wine feels great as it falls over your palate and coats your mouth. 94-96 Pts.

From a blend of 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, (which is the same mix as found in the vineyards,) the wine is deep ruby in color and reached 14.8% ABV. Yet, there is no sensation of heat. People who prefer tasting by the numbers could have problems with this wine, but I loved it! An intoxicating perfume filled with minerality, licorice, black raspberry jam, hints of oak and chocolate, this is the richest, most concentrated wine produced by the Kolasa team yet. Thick, intense and filled with fresh, perfectly ripe plums, blackberries and licorice, the wine feels great as it falls over your palate and coats your mouth. 94-96 Pts.

4,670 Views   Tasted
2009
93
Not quite as opulent as many wines from 2009, here, the wine focuses on its floral and ocean nose, along with nuances of sweet, red cherries, and plums with a hint of licorice. Soft, bright, and fresh, with soft tannins and a long, red fruit and salt-packed finish, this is just now starting to be fun to taste. But its best days are in the future.

Not quite as opulent as many wines from 2009, here, the wine focuses on its floral and ocean nose, along with nuances of sweet, red cherries, and plums with a hint of licorice. Soft, bright, and fresh, with soft tannins and a long, red fruit and salt-packed finish, this is just now starting to be fun to taste. But its best days are in the future.

5,103 Views   Tasted
The color is starting to show signs of maturity as is the nose, with its roasted smoky berries, truffle, wet earth and 5 spice notes. On the palate the wine is taking on a silky character, with more softness and flesh. The elegant, lifted red pit fruit and spice in the end note is starting to be in a good place.

The color is starting to show signs of maturity as is the nose, with its roasted smoky berries, truffle, wet earth and 5 spice notes. On the palate the wine is taking on a silky character, with more softness and flesh. The elegant, lifted red pit fruit and spice in the end note is starting to be in a good place.

4,592 Views   Tasted
Minerality is the first thing you notice, fresh black raspberry, plum, anise, coffee and cherry notes add to the complexity. From a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, the wine combines ripe flavors, concentration, freshness, structure and balance to create a St. Emilion that demands at least a decade, if not 15 years to full open up.

Minerality is the first thing you notice, fresh black raspberry, plum, anise, coffee and cherry notes add to the complexity. From a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, the wine combines ripe flavors, concentration, freshness, structure and balance to create a St. Emilion that demands at least a decade, if not 15 years to full open up.

5,968 Views   Tasted
Never the darkest wine from St. Emilion, the wine offers oak, flowers, plums, licorice, stone, cherries and pipe tobacco aromas. From a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, the wine offers rich textures and layers of sweet, ripe, spicy black and red fruits. This is a wine to lay down for at least a decade.

Never the darkest wine from St. Emilion, the wine offers oak, flowers, plums, licorice, stone, cherries and pipe tobacco aromas. From a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, the wine offers rich textures and layers of sweet, ripe, spicy black and red fruits. This is a wine to lay down for at least a decade.

5,476 Views   Tasted
2009 Canon is a dark ruby offering whose mineral, floral, dark raspberry, spice, and licorice aromatics pair well with a mouthful of intense, silky, sweet berries. The wine has purity and freshness, and finishes with flavors of plums, spice, and licorice. Canon now includes some fruit from the replanting done in 1998. New plantings are of cabernet franc vines. The vineyards are currently 25% cabernet franc. Over time they will increase to 35%. 93-95 Pts

2009 Canon is a dark ruby offering whose mineral, floral, dark raspberry, spice, and licorice aromatics pair well with a mouthful of intense, silky, sweet berries. The wine has purity and freshness, and finishes with flavors of plums, spice, and licorice. Canon now includes some fruit from the replanting done in 1998. New plantings are of cabernet franc vines. The vineyards are currently 25% cabernet franc. Over time they will increase to 35%. 93-95 Pts

5,741 Views   Tasted
2008
92
Fresh, clean, crisp, stony, pure and showing its mineral essence, the wine is refined, bright and focuses on the red plums and cherries in its core.

Fresh, clean, crisp, stony, pure and showing its mineral essence, the wine is refined, bright and focuses on the red plums and cherries in its core.

4,484 Views   Tasted
Minerality, flowers, cherry, blackberry, floral scents and a kiss of oak are found in the perfume. This elegant wine is filled with fresh red and black fruit. Canon generally speaking, is not a wine produced to be drunk young. The 2008 might prove to be an exception to the rule.

Minerality, flowers, cherry, blackberry, floral scents and a kiss of oak are found in the perfume. This elegant wine is filled with fresh red and black fruit. Canon generally speaking, is not a wine produced to be drunk young. The 2008 might prove to be an exception to the rule.

5,454 Views   Tasted
2008 Canon offers a mineral driven perfume that is complicated with black fruit, plums, anise, coca and plums. With ample round tannins and elegant textures, this wine is built to age. The finish ends with black raspberry and fresh dark cherry flavors. 93 Pts

2008 Canon offers a mineral driven perfume that is complicated with black fruit, plums, anise, coca and plums. With ample round tannins and elegant textures, this wine is built to age. The finish ends with black raspberry and fresh dark cherry flavors. 93 Pts

5,795 Views   Tasted
2006
92
Medium bodied, firm, refined and youthful, the wine is fresh, mineral driven and displays a floral, sweet cherry and plum character. Give this another 5-7 years for more development and softer tannins.

Medium bodied, firm, refined and youthful, the wine is fresh, mineral driven and displays a floral, sweet cherry and plum character. Give this another 5-7 years for more development and softer tannins.

5,846 Views   Tasted
2005
94
Interestingly, every time I have tasted this wine, the score keeps ratcheting up. Not quite mature, but close, here you find notes of flowers, licorice, crushed rocks, salt, and a melange of red fruits with a gentle touch of fennel in the perfume. Medium-bodied, elegant, vibrant, silky, and refined, the wine finishes with earthy ripe, sweet red fruits salty tannins, and soft textures. This is showing quite well now and it will be even better with a bit more time.

Interestingly, every time I have tasted this wine, the score keeps ratcheting up. Not quite mature, but close, here you find notes of flowers, licorice, crushed rocks, salt, and a melange of red fruits with a gentle touch of fennel in the perfume. Medium-bodied, elegant, vibrant, silky, and refined, the wine finishes with earthy ripe, sweet red fruits salty tannins, and soft textures. This is showing quite well now and it will be even better with a bit more time.

4,254 Views   Tasted
Young, fresh, vibrant and developing better than expected, the floral, earth, sweet cherry, licorice, crushed rock and spice characteristics are starting to really shine. Soft, silky, but on the crisp, fresh side, give this another 5 years for further development and softening.

Young, fresh, vibrant and developing better than expected, the floral, earth, sweet cherry, licorice, crushed rock and spice characteristics are starting to really shine. Soft, silky, but on the crisp, fresh side, give this another 5 years for further development and softening.

4,711 Views   Tasted
From 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the wine is starting to show some lightening in the color. Truffle, cherry blossoms, tobacco and forest scents are already peeking through the cloak of sleep. Elegant and refined on the palate, the wine is soft, round and shows fresh red fruits, spice and stone in the finish. Still young, this will be even better in 10 years.

From 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the wine is starting to show some lightening in the color. Truffle, cherry blossoms, tobacco and forest scents are already peeking through the cloak of sleep. Elegant and refined on the palate, the wine is soft, round and shows fresh red fruits, spice and stone in the finish. Still young, this will be even better in 10 years.

5,376 Views   Tasted
With their 05, they announced they want to begin producing wines like they did in 82 and 89. Elegant, silky, good levels of richness and a slightly tannic spine with a good touch of minerals make this wine interesting to taste.

With their 05, they announced they want to begin producing wines like they did in 82 and 89. Elegant, silky, good levels of richness and a slightly tannic spine with a good touch of minerals make this wine interesting to taste.

6,490 Views   Tasted
2004
89
Crisp red and black plums, tobacco, earth and stone aromas create the perfume. Medium bodied, very fresh, bright and perhaps a bit too lively on the palate, with its focus on strawberries, red plum and tart cherry notes.

Crisp red and black plums, tobacco, earth and stone aromas create the perfume. Medium bodied, very fresh, bright and perhaps a bit too lively on the palate, with its focus on strawberries, red plum and tart cherry notes.

3,609 Views   Tasted
It took a few hours to open and allow the licorice truffle, mint, cassis earth and plum scents to develop. There is a sense of harshness in the tannins that leaves you a little dry in the bright, spicy, black cherry finish. It's still young, so give it another 5 years.

It took a few hours to open and allow the licorice truffle, mint, cassis earth and plum scents to develop. There is a sense of harshness in the tannins that leaves you a little dry in the bright, spicy, black cherry finish. It's still young, so give it another 5 years.

5,627 Views   Tasted
2003
89
Medium bodied, with a jammy, earthy, red fruit nose, the wine is soft, bright and ready to drink.

Medium bodied, with a jammy, earthy, red fruit nose, the wine is soft, bright and ready to drink.

6,721 Views   Tasted
2002
86
Earth, cherry and tobacco scents lead to a medium bodied, light, red fruit finish. This is fully mature and should be drunk up.

Earth, cherry and tobacco scents lead to a medium bodied, light, red fruit finish. This is fully mature and should be drunk up.

2,161 Views   Tasted
2001
90
2001 Canon opens with chocoalte, black raspberry, coffee, licorice, smoke and minerality. Medium to full bodied, this silky, soft textured wine ends with fresh black raspberry flavors.

2001 Canon opens with chocoalte, black raspberry, coffee, licorice, smoke and minerality. Medium to full bodied, this silky, soft textured wine ends with fresh black raspberry flavors.

3,817 Views   Tasted
2000
93
Fresh, bright, medium-bodied, elegant, soft, and a bit crisp, the wine is packed with dried flowers, crushed rocks, stones, bright red cherries, red plums, earth, and thyme. This is good now, but it's just starting to show well and is only going to continue developing for several more years from here.

Fresh, bright, medium-bodied, elegant, soft, and a bit crisp, the wine is packed with dried flowers, crushed rocks, stones, bright red cherries, red plums, earth, and thyme. This is good now, but it's just starting to show well and is only going to continue developing for several more years from here.

4,232 Views   Tasted
Slowly starting to come around. At this stage, it's slightly more interesting on the nose, with its floral, stone, fresh cherry, earth and black raspberries than on the palate. Medium/full bodied, elegant and refined, with the ability age and improve, the wine offers a fresh, delicate, pure plum and cherry profile.

Slowly starting to come around. At this stage, it's slightly more interesting on the nose, with its floral, stone, fresh cherry, earth and black raspberries than on the palate. Medium/full bodied, elegant and refined, with the ability age and improve, the wine offers a fresh, delicate, pure plum and cherry profile.

4,342 Views   Tasted
1998
91
Medium bodied, fresh, bright and vibrant, with a nose packed with flowers, sweet cherries, plum, earth and thyme, silky tannins and a fruit filled finish that leaves with ample, ripe, black raspberries and cherries.

Medium bodied, fresh, bright and vibrant, with a nose packed with flowers, sweet cherries, plum, earth and thyme, silky tannins and a fruit filled finish that leaves with ample, ripe, black raspberries and cherries.

4,310 Views   Tasted
1995
89
Bright, crisp, fresh and floral, with a core of red berries, herbs, tobacco leaf, earth and oyster shell, the wine is better on the nose, than on the crisp, lifted, strict red berry palate. This is very classic in nature, o folks seeking less ripe, more tannic wines will enjoy this more than I did.

Bright, crisp, fresh and floral, with a core of red berries, herbs, tobacco leaf, earth and oyster shell, the wine is better on the nose, than on the crisp, lifted, strict red berry palate. This is very classic in nature, o folks seeking less ripe, more tannic wines will enjoy this more than I did.

4,652 Views   Tasted
1990
90
Medium/full bodied, bright, fresh and juicy, with accents of smoke, truffle, flowers and forest notes that ride along with the red fruits. Soft in texture and volume, the wine is subtle and focuses on its bright red berry filled finish. This is probably at peak. So if you are sitting on a few bottles, break out the corkscrew.

Medium/full bodied, bright, fresh and juicy, with accents of smoke, truffle, flowers and forest notes that ride along with the red fruits. Soft in texture and volume, the wine is subtle and focuses on its bright red berry filled finish. This is probably at peak. So if you are sitting on a few bottles, break out the corkscrew.

4,750 Views   Tasted
1989
92
Close to fully mature, the floral, tobacco, peppery boysenberry, smoke and earthy nose is a turn on. Medium/full bodied, with a bit of a green bite in the finish that also provides minty, black cherry notes, the wine is soft, with a hint of old-school rusticity on the palate. The wine is more savory than sweet, which makes sense with its slightly strict palate presence. Decanted about 1 hour in advance of tasting, this is probably not a long-term hold. This is a wine to like, but not to love. If you are holding on to any bottles, it is time to pop a cork.

Close to fully mature, the floral, tobacco, peppery boysenberry, smoke and earthy nose is a turn on. Medium/full bodied, with a bit of a green bite in the finish that also provides minty, black cherry notes, the wine is soft, with a hint of old-school rusticity on the palate. The wine is more savory than sweet, which makes sense with its slightly strict palate presence. Decanted about 1 hour in advance of tasting, this is probably not a long-term hold. This is a wine to like, but not to love. If you are holding on to any bottles, it is time to pop a cork.

4,288 Views   Tasted
Intense minerality is the first thing you sense, followed by fresh black cherry, floral, spice and earthy aromatics. Elegant and regal in style, this traditional wine is still young and retains a lot of freshness. The wine ends with long notes of fresh ripe wild strawberry, black cherry and dark raspberries. As good as it is, this will improve for at least another 10-15 more years.

Intense minerality is the first thing you sense, followed by fresh black cherry, floral, spice and earthy aromatics. Elegant and regal in style, this traditional wine is still young and retains a lot of freshness. The wine ends with long notes of fresh ripe wild strawberry, black cherry and dark raspberries. As good as it is, this will improve for at least another 10-15 more years.

5,511 Views   Tasted
Deep ruby in color. The enjoyable nose expresses spice, herbs, truffles, and licorice, along with hints of plum. Very sexy in the mouth, this tasty treat spills ripe, black cherries all over your mouth in the long, enjoyable finish.

Deep ruby in color. The enjoyable nose expresses spice, herbs, truffles, and licorice, along with hints of plum. Very sexy in the mouth, this tasty treat spills ripe, black cherries all over your mouth in the long, enjoyable finish.

5,575 Views   Tasted
Lush dark, red fruits, stone and herbs make a beautiful perfume. This plush, opulent, silky wine could use more concentration to make it really rock. Regardless, it's a treat to taste.

Lush dark, red fruits, stone and herbs make a beautiful perfume. This plush, opulent, silky wine could use more concentration to make it really rock. Regardless, it's a treat to taste.

5,580 Views   Tasted
1985
90
Not a bottle I would hang on to, as the fruit seems to be fading. Better on the dried flower, tobacco, and red plum nose, than on the medium-bodied, soft, vibrant, silky, but, light, red berry palate. Drink from 2023-2025.

Not a bottle I would hang on to, as the fruit seems to be fading. Better on the dried flower, tobacco, and red plum nose, than on the medium-bodied, soft, vibrant, silky, but, light, red berry palate. Drink from 2023-2025.

1,709 Views   Tasted
Supple, round, lush, soft, polished, and loaded with ripe, sweet, plums, black cherry, licorice, and forest leaf, along with a touch of cigar wrapper and crushed stone. Fully mature, there is no reason to hold off from popping a cork.

Supple, round, lush, soft, polished, and loaded with ripe, sweet, plums, black cherry, licorice, and forest leaf, along with a touch of cigar wrapper and crushed stone. Fully mature, there is no reason to hold off from popping a cork.

3,487 Views   Tasted
Fully mature, with a floral, cherry, black raspberry, tobacco and earthy nose, the wine is medium bodied, elegant, fresh and ends with sweet, ripe, earthy, red berries in the finish.

Fully mature, with a floral, cherry, black raspberry, tobacco and earthy nose, the wine is medium bodied, elegant, fresh and ends with sweet, ripe, earthy, red berries in the finish.

4,245 Views   Tasted
1983
92
Fully developed, medium-bodied, elegant, fresh, and aromatic, with an aromatic profile of dried flowers, tobacco leaves, cherries, thyme, and crushed rocks. Finesse styled, refined, soft, and vibrant, the elegant, red berry finish leaves you with a touch of salt on top of the fruits. No decanting needed. Pop, pour, and enjoy. Drink from 2024-2034.

Fully developed, medium-bodied, elegant, fresh, and aromatic, with an aromatic profile of dried flowers, tobacco leaves, cherries, thyme, and crushed rocks. Finesse styled, refined, soft, and vibrant, the elegant, red berry finish leaves you with a touch of salt on top of the fruits. No decanting needed. Pop, pour, and enjoy. Drink from 2024-2034.

283 Views   Tasted
1982
93
82 Canon is a beautiful wine, elegant, silky, earthy, floral, herbal and on the fresh, ripe, red berry side of the style range. Medium-bodied, and not quite as concentrated as it was, while still a treat, it’s time to drink up over the next 5 years or so, as it’s not going to get better from here.

82 Canon is a beautiful wine, elegant, silky, earthy, floral, herbal and on the fresh, ripe, red berry side of the style range. Medium-bodied, and not quite as concentrated as it was, while still a treat, it’s time to drink up over the next 5 years or so, as it’s not going to get better from here.

4,043 Views   Tasted
Fully-developed, elegant, earthy, supple, silky and fresh, you also find a beautiful truffle and earthy accent that comes along with all the ripe, sweet, red berries. Aged elegance is all over the place here. There is no reason to wait if you own a bottle, just pull the cork and enjoy.

Fully-developed, elegant, earthy, supple, silky and fresh, you also find a beautiful truffle and earthy accent that comes along with all the ripe, sweet, red berries. Aged elegance is all over the place here. There is no reason to wait if you own a bottle, just pull the cork and enjoy.

4,090 Views   Tasted
The best bottle yet from my slowly dwindling case, this is drinking just great. Aromatic, silky, fresh, vibrant, floral and earthy, the wine combines complexity and hedonism, finishing with layers of sweet, ripe, juicy cherries that feel as good as they taste. Well stored bottles have at least another 10 years or more at this high level before the wine gently declines.

The best bottle yet from my slowly dwindling case, this is drinking just great. Aromatic, silky, fresh, vibrant, floral and earthy, the wine combines complexity and hedonism, finishing with layers of sweet, ripe, juicy cherries that feel as good as they taste. Well stored bottles have at least another 10 years or more at this high level before the wine gently declines.

5,711 Views   Tasted
Much better than the previous bottle, this was richly textured, silky and fresh. The nose offered cherry pipe tobacco, flowers, truffle and plum notes. Elegant and refined, this is drinking great today.

Much better than the previous bottle, this was richly textured, silky and fresh. The nose offered cherry pipe tobacco, flowers, truffle and plum notes. Elegant and refined, this is drinking great today.

3,870 Views   Tasted
Better on the nose than on the palate, which I hope is relegated to this specific bottle, because normally, this is a beauty. Flowers, licorice and black cherry scents are the tip of the bouquet, the palate for this bottle was a bit light and short, lacking the body and length, normally associated with this wine.

Better on the nose than on the palate, which I hope is relegated to this specific bottle, because normally, this is a beauty. Flowers, licorice and black cherry scents are the tip of the bouquet, the palate for this bottle was a bit light and short, lacking the body and length, normally associated with this wine.

4,262 Views   Tasted
Popped and poured, the wine is elegant, earthy, fresh, complex, silky, long and fresh. Definitely drinking great today, this is a beauty that blends refinement with sex appeal. For a bottle of this quality from the legendary 1982 vintage, it's also available for a fair price today, especially at auction.

Popped and poured, the wine is elegant, earthy, fresh, complex, silky, long and fresh. Definitely drinking great today, this is a beauty that blends refinement with sex appeal. For a bottle of this quality from the legendary 1982 vintage, it's also available for a fair price today, especially at auction.

4,337 Views   Tasted
At 30 years of age, there are no great wines, just great bottles. This was great bottle. The floral, cherry blossom, crushed stone, forest floor and cigar box aromatics were enticing. On the palate, the patina of silk and velvet that accompanied the wave of fresh, sweet, ripe, pure cherries felt great. Popped and poured, the wine got better and better in the glass. This is worth finding a few bottles, if they have good provenance.

At 30 years of age, there are no great wines, just great bottles. This was great bottle. The floral, cherry blossom, crushed stone, forest floor and cigar box aromatics were enticing. On the palate, the patina of silk and velvet that accompanied the wave of fresh, sweet, ripe, pure cherries felt great. Popped and poured, the wine got better and better in the glass. This is worth finding a few bottles, if they have good provenance.

4,105 Views   Tasted
Delivers a lot of pleasure that will not break the bank. Tobacco, minerals, truffles, back cherry, blackberry, chocolate, mint and hints of cinnamon fill your nose with pleasure. Full bodied, concentrated and opulent in the mouth, this sensuous, sexy little thing delivers a lot of pleasure. While mature, there is no hurry to drink a well stored bottle, as there is ample stuffing to last for at least another decade.

Delivers a lot of pleasure that will not break the bank. Tobacco, minerals, truffles, back cherry, blackberry, chocolate, mint and hints of cinnamon fill your nose with pleasure. Full bodied, concentrated and opulent in the mouth, this sensuous, sexy little thing delivers a lot of pleasure. While mature, there is no hurry to drink a well stored bottle, as there is ample stuffing to last for at least another decade.

5,298 Views   Tasted
Flowers, truffles, white cherries, stone and earth scents make up the complex perfume. Full bodied, rich, concentrated, balanced and elegant, at close to 30 years of age, this beautiful St. Emilion is running on all cylinders. The wine ends with an earthy, soft, sweet, licorice over red and black fruit finish.

Flowers, truffles, white cherries, stone and earth scents make up the complex perfume. Full bodied, rich, concentrated, balanced and elegant, at close to 30 years of age, this beautiful St. Emilion is running on all cylinders. The wine ends with an earthy, soft, sweet, licorice over red and black fruit finish.

7,423 Views   Tasted
This wine offered a perfume of rich, black fruit, herbs, olives, flowers and earth. Silky, lush entry. Lots of depth. Ripe red and black fruits please the palate. Some tannin remains.

This wine offered a perfume of rich, black fruit, herbs, olives, flowers and earth. Silky, lush entry. Lots of depth. Ripe red and black fruits please the palate. Some tannin remains.

3,524 Views   Tasted
Plums, herbs, spice and truffle aromatics are easy to find. Elegant, round, plush and silky in texture, this plush wine is mature and will deliver pleasure for several years.

Plums, herbs, spice and truffle aromatics are easy to find. Elegant, round, plush and silky in texture, this plush wine is mature and will deliver pleasure for several years.

3,311 Views   Tasted
1975
85
Earth, tobacco, truffle, cigar box, cherry blossom, strawberry and spice aromatics led to a medium bodied wine with surprisingly, soft tannins for the vintage. This was from a bottle that has not moved from the chateau since the day it was bottled.

Earth, tobacco, truffle, cigar box, cherry blossom, strawberry and spice aromatics led to a medium bodied wine with surprisingly, soft tannins for the vintage. This was from a bottle that has not moved from the chateau since the day it was bottled.

5,058 Views   Tasted
1964
94
A beautiful wine in every way, the nose with its earth, tobacco, cigar box, spice, plum, cherry and cherry perfume hit all the right notes. But it was the palate, with its silky textures, fresh, sweet, ripe, soft red plums and rocks that sealed the deal. Well-stored examples of this are worth seeking out at auction today.

A beautiful wine in every way, the nose with its earth, tobacco, cigar box, spice, plum, cherry and cherry perfume hit all the right notes. But it was the palate, with its silky textures, fresh, sweet, ripe, soft red plums and rocks that sealed the deal. Well-stored examples of this are worth seeking out at auction today.

3,456 Views   Tasted
Opening older bottles is always a risk. There are times when the wine disappoints and there are nights when you really get lucky. and the wine just rocks. Fortunately, this bottle rocked! At days before it 54th birthday, just a pop & pour was all that was needed to display the floral, tobacco, cherry and stone nuances. The wine had concentration, freshness and fruit that felt great on your palate. The wine lingered in the glass for over 2 hours with no degradation! The finish reminds of eating fresh, juicy plums while smoking a fabulous, aged Cuban cigar! I'm temped to give it another point, as this was great.

Opening older bottles is always a risk. There are times when the wine disappoints and there are nights when you really get lucky. and the wine just rocks. Fortunately, this bottle rocked! At days before it 54th birthday, just a pop & pour was all that was needed to display the floral, tobacco, cherry and stone nuances. The wine had concentration, freshness and fruit that felt great on your palate. The wine lingered in the glass for over 2 hours with no degradation! The finish reminds of eating fresh, juicy plums while smoking a fabulous, aged Cuban cigar! I'm temped to give it another point, as this was great.

4,272 Views   Tasted
Fully mature, it took about 20 minutes in the glass for the wine to strut its tobacco, black cherry, truffle and earthy nose. Silky, soft and polished, there are no tannins remaining here. The finish shows a nice, dark cocoa and cherry note.

Fully mature, it took about 20 minutes in the glass for the wine to strut its tobacco, black cherry, truffle and earthy nose. Silky, soft and polished, there are no tannins remaining here. The finish shows a nice, dark cocoa and cherry note.

3,499 Views   Tasted
The best bottle of this wine I have ever tasted. Combining truffles with a flower garden, ripe red, sweet, spicy fruits, elegant textures and a long, sweet, spicy fruit, this is drinking amazingly well for a 50 year old bottle of wine.

The best bottle of this wine I have ever tasted. Combining truffles with a flower garden, ripe red, sweet, spicy fruits, elegant textures and a long, sweet, spicy fruit, this is drinking amazingly well for a 50 year old bottle of wine.

3,515 Views   Tasted
Truffle, tobacco, cherry blossom, earth and crushed stone scents create the perfume. Medium bodied and fully mature, the wine ended with a clean, albeit too short of a spicy, cherry filled finish. This was much better on the nose than on the palate. I've tasted better bottles. But at close to 50 years of age, there are no things as great wines, just great bottles.

Truffle, tobacco, cherry blossom, earth and crushed stone scents create the perfume. Medium bodied and fully mature, the wine ended with a clean, albeit too short of a spicy, cherry filled finish. This was much better on the nose than on the palate. I've tasted better bottles. But at close to 50 years of age, there are no things as great wines, just great bottles.

4,121 Views   Tasted
Truffle, cigar box, smoke, cherry blossoms, leather, kirsch and stone aromatics are found in abundance. With textures of silk, the wine offers purity, spice and a complete, beginning, middle and end. The only quibble is, the finish while complete, was short. This St. Emilion wine at close to 50 years is probably not going to improve. But it is no danger of falling apart, as the wine remained strong for over 2 hours in the glass! This is a delicious, fully mature Bordeaux wine that is drinking perfectly, provided the bottle has good provenance.

Truffle, cigar box, smoke, cherry blossoms, leather, kirsch and stone aromatics are found in abundance. With textures of silk, the wine offers purity, spice and a complete, beginning, middle and end. The only quibble is, the finish while complete, was short. This St. Emilion wine at close to 50 years is probably not going to improve. But it is no danger of falling apart, as the wine remained strong for over 2 hours in the glass! This is a delicious, fully mature Bordeaux wine that is drinking perfectly, provided the bottle has good provenance.

3,519 Views   Tasted
1962
80
Light and fading, the wine was showing a beautiful, earthy, tobacco and floral nose, but on the palate, the fruit has started to fade.

Light and fading, the wine was showing a beautiful, earthy, tobacco and floral nose, but on the palate, the fruit has started to fade.

3,891 Views   Tasted
1959
95
This mature St. Emilion offers complex aromatics of coffee, roses, licorice, stone, truffle and forest floor. This concentrated, round and elegant wine is filled with rich textures and minerality. The wine finished with waves of soft, polished ripe dark cherries and strawberry poured over crushed stone.

This mature St. Emilion offers complex aromatics of coffee, roses, licorice, stone, truffle and forest floor. This concentrated, round and elegant wine is filled with rich textures and minerality. The wine finished with waves of soft, polished ripe dark cherries and strawberry poured over crushed stone.

4,050 Views   Tasted
1957
78
The color of rose hip tea, medium bodied and showing a more acid than fruit in the austere finish, this is a little bit more than a little past fully mature. Yet, it was not bad considering the reputation of this seldom seen vintage.

The color of rose hip tea, medium bodied and showing a more acid than fruit in the austere finish, this is a little bit more than a little past fully mature. Yet, it was not bad considering the reputation of this seldom seen vintage.

2,438 Views   Tasted
1956
84
This could be the rarest wine I have ever tasted. It was my fist tasting of any wine from the year that is best known for the brutal frost that destroyed much of the Bordeaux vineyards. Served blind, I thought it was an early 60's or late 50's wine from a moderate vintage. Close to the color of a rose hip tea, filled with spice, leather, truffle, forest, coffee and crushed stone scents, this medium bodied wine ended with a strawberry, dark cherry finish. Much of the quality from this wine comes the natural low yields caused by the harsh winter weather.

This could be the rarest wine I have ever tasted. It was my fist tasting of any wine from the year that is best known for the brutal frost that destroyed much of the Bordeaux vineyards. Served blind, I thought it was an early 60's or late 50's wine from a moderate vintage. Close to the color of a rose hip tea, filled with spice, leather, truffle, forest, coffee and crushed stone scents, this medium bodied wine ended with a strawberry, dark cherry finish. Much of the quality from this wine comes the natural low yields caused by the harsh winter weather.

3,258 Views   Tasted
1955
93
From a magnum, this was beautiful in every sense of the word. The floral, crushed stone, truffle, plum, cherry and earthy nose could keep you busy all night long. On the palate, the refined, wine is fresh, with a focus on elegant textures, sweet red fruits and the patina of age.

From a magnum, this was beautiful in every sense of the word. The floral, crushed stone, truffle, plum, cherry and earthy nose could keep you busy all night long. On the palate, the refined, wine is fresh, with a focus on elegant textures, sweet red fruits and the patina of age.

3,442 Views   Tasted
More than fully mature aromas of bacon fat, brown sugar, truffle, earth, tobacco leaf, stone and cherry are present as soon as the wine hits the glass. Medium/full bodied with a short, tart, cherry and cranberry finish. This bottle was much better on the nose than the palate. Owners of this rare wine should know, it requires consumption.

More than fully mature aromas of bacon fat, brown sugar, truffle, earth, tobacco leaf, stone and cherry are present as soon as the wine hits the glass. Medium/full bodied with a short, tart, cherry and cranberry finish. This bottle was much better on the nose than the palate. Owners of this rare wine should know, it requires consumption.

4,875 Views   Tasted
This fully mature Bordeaux wine, with its smoke, spice, earth, plum and jammy berry filled nose is sweet, ripe, elegant and round in your mouth. This sensuous wine ends withlush, spicy dark berries and plums.

This fully mature Bordeaux wine, with its smoke, spice, earth, plum and jammy berry filled nose is sweet, ripe, elegant and round in your mouth. This sensuous wine ends withlush, spicy dark berries and plums.

3,532 Views   Tasted
1953
93
Served blind, this beauty seemed at least two decades younger than its true age. From a magnum that had not been moved since it was bottled, the wine exploded with truffle, wild cherries, floral, spice, strawberry, forest and herbal scents. Silky in texture, refined and elegant, the wine finished with a beautiful wave of fresh, ripe, red berries. What a treat!

Served blind, this beauty seemed at least two decades younger than its true age. From a magnum that had not been moved since it was bottled, the wine exploded with truffle, wild cherries, floral, spice, strawberry, forest and herbal scents. Silky in texture, refined and elegant, the wine finished with a beautiful wave of fresh, ripe, red berries. What a treat!

4,649 Views   Tasted
1943
75
I seldom have the chance to taste war years wines, and while most are not exciting, the chance to participate in liquid history is never lost on me. Light tea with some ruby in color, the light wine offered a leafy, incense and spice profile with some, fresh cherries at its core. The wine was bright, tart and crisp in the strawberry oriented finish.

I seldom have the chance to taste war years wines, and while most are not exciting, the chance to participate in liquid history is never lost on me. Light tea with some ruby in color, the light wine offered a leafy, incense and spice profile with some, fresh cherries at its core. The wine was bright, tart and crisp in the strawberry oriented finish.

2,523 Views   Tasted