Château Canon Saint-Émilion 2019 - 1er Grand Cru Classé B

After pouring, you’ll want to savor the magnificent profile of this 2019 Canon, with its ultra-fine, creamy attack that gives the palate a unique refinement, perfectly complemented by a multidimensional mineral structure. The excellent impressions from our initial tastings are perfectly confirmed here. But be careful—don’t touch it now, or it’ll be a “Canon-icide”! In 10 years, we’ll be very happy to have a Canon like this in our cellar.

A grand cru founded in 1760 by frigate captain and privateer Jacques Kanon, who developed the monoculture of grapevines there; it was elevated to the rank of 1er grand cru classé B in 1954. The Fournier family, who settled here in 1919, sold the estate to the Chanel Group in 1996. Nestled against the medieval town, the estate is ideally situated to the south of the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion. Beneath the surface lie vast cellars dug over the centuries to build Libourne and Bordeaux. Nicolas Audebert (who also manages Rauzan-Ségla in Margaux, owned by the same proprietors) oversees the vineyard: 34 hectares, 12 of which come from the Grand Cru Classé Matras, acquired in 2011, which now supplies the second wine, Croix Canon.

250 years ago, a privateer with a passion for the land had Château Canon built. Twenty-five years ago, two brothers with a keen eye for aesthetics and a love of beauty purchased the estate. The Wertheimers (Chanel), after acquiring Rauzan-Ségla in Margaux, turned their attention to the Right Bank two years later, taking over Canon in 1996, followed by its neighbor, Château Berliquet, in 2017. Through a series of restructuring efforts, and under the direction of Nicolas Audebert, Cabernet Franc has become a more significant component, now accounting for 30% of the vineyard’s plantings and the final blend. The vineyard’s perfect uniformity on the asterian limestone of the plateau offers refined consistency, set within the labyrinth of quarries that run underground alongside the vines. Regardless of the vintage, Canon defies convention: hot years do not detract from its splendor, as the limestone acts as a water reservoir. The wine’s signature slender profile has built its reputation.

The 2019 Canon is creamy and complex. A wine of immense charm and sensuality, it is already appealing to drink now, yet clearly has aging potential. The 2019 is not as exuberant as most recent vintages, but its balance is simply magnificent. Expect an aristocratic Saint-Émilion that retains a lovely reserve. Patience is key. Tasted 3 times. 2031–2059

The nobility of its younger sibling, Berliquet, transforms into majesty in Canon, with its elegant nose of pure, red-purple fruit, perfectly ripe. The nose transports you to the clouds. On the palate, a wave of inky black fruits, yet with that depth of ripe fruit touched by grace, washes over a saline minerality and a melt-in-your-mouth sweetness. The cashmere-like texture—a signature of Chanel—lingers in a long, refreshing finish. Dangerously addictive! 2031–2051

Located on an exceptional terroir on the limestone plateau of Saint-Emilion, Château Canon has continued to captivate us for several vintages now—leaving us to wonder where this ascent will end. The nose displays an inimitable elegance, full of depth, verticality, and aromatic purity. The body is perfectly ripe yet airy in structure. The concentration is flawless—elegant and vibrant—propelled by a minerality of dazzling persistence. This 2019 is as moving and vibrant as a cello melody, nestled among the pantheon of great terroir wines.

Purplish-red. Canon’s bouquet sets the tone right away! It’s all about subtlety and intensity, with a keen sense of detail and complexity. This attention to detail and subtlety is perfectly reflected on the palate. What freshness and character, displayed with elegance, finesse, and precision. A wine that carries itself with great class and stands out as a champion, ready to captivate enthusiasts eager for relevant and subtle nuances. The finish is fruity, intense, and lingering. It’s not customary to award the maximum score to an en primeur wine, but to be honest, I couldn’t find a single point to deduct. If necessary, I’ll rate it 101/100 when it’s ready for release, as it may be even better than it is now! What a promising future. 2025–2049

The nose offers subtle delicacy and freshness. Blackcurrant, blueberry, flowers, mineral notes, a hint of graphite, a touch of licorice, and violet as well. Everything here is refined and elegant. The attack is delicate and finely crafted, with silky tannins and a crystalline texture perfectly supported by a very chalky and expressive acidity. Crystal-clear purity and such precision. One of the finest and most distinctive wines of the vintage, with an aging potential of nearly 50 years or more. Very true to its terroir in an exceptional vintage. A step above the magnificent 2018. 100% a great wine.

Château Canon has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, and you’ll understand why. There is so much complexity, depth, power, and interest in this wine. It’s bursting with life, filling the palate with notes of gunpowder, truffle, raspberry, and blueberry—it’s absolutely delicious. It will need time, but it’s already showing that it’s worth the wait. 45 hl/h, 3.5 pH, harvested from September 11 to October 4, 50% new oak. Thomas Duclos is the consultant.