2019 Chateau Canon 1er Grand Cru Classe Saint Emilion

Winemaker Notes:  Barely opened, it escapes from the bottle like a sweet summer scent... Ripe and expressive, bursting with life, the wine plunges into the glass in which bright notes of red fruit, lush strawberries and raspberries, spin around each other. A few more swirls of the glass and the fruit intensifies even further, allowing aromas of morello cherry burst forth. There is this constant sensation of sapidity, so smooth and tasty. The wine palpitates. Intense and sappy, throughout the tasting it preserves this juicy character which is characteristic of the vintage. It speaks to us of the mastery achieved in a year that was nevertheless hot and dry. It brings movement over the palate and invigorates the body. This is a generous yet precise Canon, which combines consistency with fluidity.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Vinous - "The 2019 Canon is creamy and layered. A wine of immense charm and sensuality, the 2019 is immediately appealing today, but also clearly has the potential to age for many decades. The 2019 is not as exuberant as most recent vintages, and yet its balance is simply magnificent. Readers can expect an aristocratic Saint-Émilion that is holding so much in reserve. Patience is key. Tasted three times."


Decanter - "Sleek, elegant and appealing even before you get your nose near the glass. Aromatically it is deep and rich, and then it revs up and takes off. Dense, compact and intense, zingy limestone vibrancy and grip. Winemakers say they are looking for balance all the time, but here you feel it, with tiny pulses of electricity that appear from beginning to end of the palate. Salinity on the finish with gunsmoke and extremely moreish blueberry and blackberry fruit, with a creamy texture as things open up. 50% new oak."


James Suckling - "Blackberries, blueberries and dark chocolate with bark, mushrooms and chalk. Lavender, too. Full-bodied with firm tannins that are polished and velvety. White pepper, gesso and crushed stone. It’s full-bodied and layered with tightness and focus and a long finish. It’s solid and stalwart, as usual. Reminds me of the very special 1955. One for the cellar. Give this until 2026 to see what it really has."


Wine Spectator - "Violet, cassis, plum purée and blackberry reduction notes are layered together without being compacted, giving each space to breath and unfurl while letting the fine lacy thread of chalky minerality to flow in between. This shows the heat and slight grain of this distinctive vintage, but manages those aspects better than most. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best After 2025."