Wine Advisor
Canon 1989
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1989 Canon will not approach the 1982 (Canon's finest wine in decades) in terms of concentration and complexity. Deep ruby/purple in color, with a rich, spicy, new oaky, blackcurrant bouquet of moderate intensity, this full-bodied, tannic, deeply endowed wine is surprisingly backward. Anticipated maturity: 1996-2010. Last tasted, 1/93.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1989 is deep ruby/purple in color, with a rich, spicy, new oaky, blackcurrant bouquet of moderate intensity. This full-bodied, rather burgundian-textured wine is tannic and deeply endowed. Anticipated maturity: Now-2008.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The Canon 1989 lacks the aromatic fireworks of the 1990, with a strong note of anis at first, giving way to peppermint, blackberries and damp earth. Good definition though. The medium-bodied palate is a little coarse with grainy tannins leading towards an austere masculine finish. I certainly preferred the Rauzan-Segla 1989 at this tasting, the Canon 1989 not quite firing on all cylinders. Drink now-2020. Tasted September 2007.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1989 Canon will not approach the 1982 in terms of concentration and complexity, yet it does resemble a synthesis in style between the 1985 and 1986. Deep ruby/purple in color, with a rich, spicy, new oaky, blackcurrant bouquet of moderate intensity, this full-bodied, rather burgundian-textured wine is tannic and deeply endowed. The flavor extraction and purity of taste are impressive. Anticipated maturity: 1993-2008. Tasted six times. Consistent notes.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A beautiful wine, and probably the last great Canon until the new administration gets its act completely together, this wine still has a deep ruby/garnet color, with some lightening at the edge. A knockout nose of sweet black fruits (primarily currants) intermixed with a bit of cherry, vanilla, and an almost roasted note is enticing and persistent. Full-bodied, moderately tannic, with excellent extraction, flavor, expansiveness, and texture, this is a pure, impressively endowed Canon. Anticipated maturity: Now-2015. Last tasted, 10/02.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1989 Canon will not approach the 1982 in terms of concentration and complexity, yet it does resemble a synthesis in style between the 1985 and 1986. Deep ruby/purple in color, with a rich, spicy, new oak, black currant bouquet of moderate intensity, this full-bodied, rather burgundian-textured wine is tannic and deeply endowed. The flavor extraction as well as purity of taste is impressive. Anticipated maturity: Now-2008. Last tasted, 5/95
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at the Château Canon vertical, the 1989 Canon is a delightful Saint Emilion and this is the best bottle that I have encountered. It has a classic Saint Emilion bouquet with vestiges of red berry fruit mixed with soy, leather and a touch of ox-tail. It is fully mature but in many ways, more vigorous now than the 1982 Canon. The palate is very well balanced with fine tannin and a superb seam of acidity. Very harmonious in the mouth, it is clearly at its peak now after 26 years, quite savory with a pinch of cracked black pepper enlivening the almost Rhône-like finish. What a beautiful 1989 Saint Emilion, but as Robert Parker originally mentioned, it was probably the final great wine before matters went awry in the 1990s due to lack of investment and an infection in the winery. Tasted October 2015.
About the Producer
Château Canon is a Premier Grand Cru Classé château in Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux. It owns pockets of vineyards close to Saint-Émilion town, with a large core parcel right on the very edge. This parcel is almost completely walled in and is traditionally hand-harvested and ploughed by horses. It is planted entirely with Merlot. This is regularly used in the Château Canon grand vin, along with a smaller proportion of Cabernet Franc from the estate's various other vineyards. More than 60 percent of Canon's vineyards are planted to Merlot. Most of the rest is Cabernet Franc, although a small portion of Cabernet Sauvignon survived the cull in the late '90s. The grapes are blended carefully to get the most from each: Merlot brings smoothness, finesse and intense fruit aromas; while Cabernet Franc brings structure and extra ability to age. The Château also makes the Croix Canon wine from an 11-hectare (27-acre) vineyard that borders the Canon estate. Buyers should be aware of the high number of wines from the Right Bank whose names include the word "Canon". This includes two distinct wines named Château Canon from Canon-Fronsac, one of which has a very similar label to this more famous wine.
1980(1)1985(1)
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