Wine Advisor
Canon 2008
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Although reserved and shut down following bottling, the 2008 exhibits a dense plum/ruby/purple color, abundant tannin, an unmistakable minerality and a long finish despite its structured, backward, medium-bodied mouthfeel. Sweet blue and black fruits have to be coaxed from the glass. Cellar it for 5-7 years and enjoy it over the following 20-25.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted ex-chateau and single blind in Southwold. Ever since its showing out of barrel, the Chateau Canon 2008 has been on an upward trajectory. Here, it displays fine mineralite on the nose, very precise with black rather than red fruit with great delineation, notes of iodine emerging. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannins, pure dark berry fruit with a touch of spice, focused with a symmetrical finish. This is very assured and just delicious. Tasted January 2012.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This appears to be the finest wine made under the relatively recent ownership of the Wertheimer brothers (who also own the haute couture house of Chanel). Sweet raspberry, blue fruit, crushed rock, and acacia flower characteristics are followed by a fresh, lively, full-bodied wine that offers an alliance of power, substance, and finesse. With good purity, texture, and length, this beauty will require patience as the tannins, while sweet and velvety, are noticeable. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2025.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at the UGC 2008 tasting in London. The Chateau Canon has a complex bouquet that takes time to unfurl, with notes of blackberry, raspberry coulis, a touch of pine and woodland. Very succinct. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, good depth of flavour, very fresh and floral with harmonious silky dark red fruits, mixed with cedar and white pepper towards the finish. Good length, not a million miles away from Beausejour Becot in style. A lovely Saint Emilion from John Kolasa, but not a top-tier Canon. Drink 2013-2025. Tasted October 2010.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
En primeur barrel sample. Reserved on the nose: a Saint Emilion that does not want to give much away. A little dark cherry and bergamot, a touch of cedar wood – a hint of mulberry with time. The palate is medium-bodied, slightly furry tannins, spice, black cherries, a touch of boysenberry leading to a “correct”, linear finish. It needs to coalesce in barrel and doubtlessly it will given the pedigree of this estate. Tasted April 2009.
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.
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