Wine Advisor
Canon 1997
View analysis
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Although this wine possesses some ripe fruit and charm, it also reveals abrasive, gritty-like tannin that is worrisome. This astringency gives the wine an uncharacteristic hardness in the finish, but overall it exhibits plenty of fruit, ripeness, and purity. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2010.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
I am expecting better things from Canon now that it is owned by Chanel and run by the capable team of John Kolasa and David Orr. However, the 1997 performed poorly the only time I tasted it. The wine revealed a dark ruby/garnet color, an herbaceous earthiness, surprisingly high acidity, evolved flavors, and light body. I would have loved to have tasted it a second time during my two-week stay in Bordeaux, but that was not possible. For now, this appears to be disappointing.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
A forward, expressive nose of raspberry, blackberry and smoke. A very lithe, supple palate with ripe strawberry and redcurrants. Lots of juicy ripe merlot though it lacks grip and structure. Slips down the throat with ease: drinking perfectly now. Tasted December 2005.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This is a pleasant, delicate, medium ruby-colored wine with emaciated, under-whelming dried herb and sweet cherry fruit notes. Drink this medium-bodied effort over the next 4-5 years.
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)1989(1)1994(1)
Package Size
