Critic Ratings & Tasting Notes
James Suckling 95-96/100
“Structured, balanced and textured, it has aromas of red berries and pine needles. It’s medium-bodied with velvety tannins. Rather seamless. Long, juicy finish with salty limestone undertones.”
Decanter 96/100
“Beautiful fragrance on the nose, really alive and forward, roses, purple flowers and red berry fruit. Lifted and intense with a real push of cherry and strawberry fruit. So clean, pure, lively and tangy, the acidity and fruit is really at the fore here. Tannins are almost subtle, gently giving frame while the minerality adds an extra layer of complexity on the finish. I love this because it’s playful, really not serious, harmonious and full of flavour. Juicy, alive and mouthwatering. Such a great wine and one where you really can’t taste the difficulties of the year in the glass. Crystalline and pure, elegant and super charming. Ageing 49% new oak barrels, 6% foudres for 16 to 18 months. 3.35pH. A yield of 45hl/ha.”
Jeff Leve – The Wine Cellar Insider 94-96/100
“Soft, polished, fresh, floral, and silky, the wine is sweet with a classic, elegant style. You find depth, purity, and refinement in its character, which comes from a wealth of raspberries, red plums, strawberries, and cherries. There is vibrancy and length, and as I mentioned earlier, most importantly, what makes this exceptional is the purity of the fruits in the fresh, mineral-driven finish, which is quite an accomplishment for the vintage. The wine blends 78% Merlot with 22% Cabernet Franc. 13.5% ABV. Harvesting took place on September 19 and October 9. Drink from 2029-2050. 94-96 Pts. 94-96 Pts”
Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate 93-95/100
“The 2024 Canon is shaping up brilliantly, wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet cherries, blackberries and raspberries mingled with notions of rose petals and spices. Medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with tangy acids (the pH is a very low 3.35) and ultrarefined tannins, it concludes with a long, mineral finish. A blend of 78% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Franc, it’s the estate’s first year of organic certification.”
Vinous 95-97/100
“The 2024 Canon is superb. One of the standouts of the vintage, the 2024 possesses striking mid-palate depth to match its vertical personality. Chalk, white pepper, mint, lavender, rose petal, slate and blue/purplish fruit all stain the palate. There’s gorgeous depth and density here, and yet the 2024 remains a super-classic wine from the property. This is a real stunner. That’s all there is to it. Tasted four times.”
An exceptional Saint-Émilion wine with character
The property
Founded in the 18th century by Jean Biès, Château Canon occupies a privileged position on the prestigious limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, extending over 34 hectares. Acquired by Jacques Kanon in 1760, the estate was renamed in 1853. Since 1996, it has belonged to the Wertheimer brothers (Chanel), with Nicolas Audebert at its head.
The vineyard
The vineyard of Château Canon flourishes on the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, at 87 meters above sea level. This privileged situation, protected from frosts by enclosing walls, offers ideal conditions for the expression of the grape varieties. The clay-limestone terroir, signature of this grand cru classé of Saint-Émilion, gives the wines this mineral tension and this characteristic salinity that make the reputation of the property.
The vintage
The year 2024 began with a mild and rainy winter, allowing a good replenishment of water reserves. Spring saw a cooling from mid-April, accompanied by regular rains. Summer truly set in from the end of July with summery weather favorable to the maturation of the grapes. The autumn, wet and cool, nevertheless allowed quality harvests, with the merlot harvested from September 19 to October 1, followed by the cabernet franc from October 1 to 9.
Vinification and aging
Vinification is carried out on a parcel-by-parcel basis, in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats, with gravity filling preserving the integrity of the berries. The aging, lasting 16 to 18 months, is carried out in barrels (of which 49% are new) and 6% in vats.
Blend
78% merlot and 22% cabernet franc.
