Château Canon Saint-Émilion 2022 - 1er Grand Cru Classé B

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

Always exquisitely elegant, this wine never overpowers with its power. In this well-rounded vintage, it stands out for its fresh red fruit, complex floral and spicy notes, and ripe, refined tannins. With a lovely sense of tension, it remains structured and well-balanced, offering a lovely, lingering finish of fruit and spice. Excellent aging potential. 2030–2040

About the estate:

A grand cru founded in 1760 by frigate captain and privateer Jacques Kanon, who established a single-crop vineyard there; it was elevated to the rank of Premier 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 south of the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion. Beneath the surface lie vast cellars dug over 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, including 12 from the Grand Cru Classé Matras, acquired in 2011, which now supplies the second wine, Croix Canon.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2022 Canon has proven to be brilliant in the bottle. In the glass, it reveals aromas of sweet raspberries, wild berries, and cherries intertwined with notes of violet, pencil shavings, black truffle, and rose petals. It is full-bodied, deep, and concentrated, with a dense, enveloping core of fruit supported by a framework of soft, velvety tannins, and finishes with a long, mineral-driven finish. It is one of Canon’s most muscular and expansive vintages in recent years, while retaining its limestone character. As I wrote two years ago, this estate is currently producing its finest series of vintages since the superb post-war series that preceded the frosts of 1956, and the 2022 does indeed recall a modern version of one of those great years. 2030–2065

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

250 years ago, a privateer with a passion for the land had Château Canon built. Twenty-five years ago, two brothers with an 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 successive 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 homogeneity 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 superb quality, as the limestone acts as a water reservoir. The wine’s signature slender elegance has built its reputation.

Vinous

About the wine:

Canon 2022 is a majestic wine, possessing absolute sophistication and class—aromatic and highly expressive, it unfolds with grace. Crushed flowers, chalk, mint, dried herbs, incense, and blood orange grace the palate. Distinct saline notes extend the mid-palate and finish with ease. Despite the heat and dryness of the year, Canon retains its essential and particularly refined character. 2030–2072

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

Ripe black cherry, graphite, crushed stone, and a magnificent floral character define the 2022 Château Canon, yet another brilliantly pure and flawless wine crafted by this team. Composed of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, it was aged in 50% new French oak, with a small percentage in large casks. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, it is concentrated and precise, with ripe, polished tannins, integrated acidity, and a magnificent finish. The elegance and purity are striking, and it offers that rare blend of power and elegance. This Saint-Émilion is sensational and should age gracefully for three decades. In my opinion, this is the best Canon ever produced, surpassing the 2009, 2010, 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages. 2025–2055

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Depth, definition, and subtlety set the stage from the very start. The wine is serene, almost masterful, delicate, and confident. The palate had better brace itself, yet it brilliantly absorbs the bouquet’s prowess. Dense, velvety, elegant, and vigorous, the wine boasts a quiet strength, a refined energy, and a contemporary crispness! An exceptional wine that doesn’t need to flaunt its power, as its keen attention to detail carries a responsibility that is not only respectable but commendable! Greatness isn’t measured—it’s experienced! 2028–2057

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is elegant, refined, and deep, with lovely intensity and a subtle, spicy delicacy. It features notes of Boysenberry, wild strawberry, and, more subtly, elegant roasted red berries, combined with hints of blue plum, blond tobacco, star anise, as well as subtle hints of spice, a distinct character, and almost infused aromas that lend a certain depth. The wine is beautifully textured and velvety. The palate is elegant, refined, delicate, and airy, full of finesse and smoothness. It displays richness, density, and depth with a lightness of touch. Notes of creamy blackberry, creamy blackcurrant, and ripe strawberry are paired with hints of bright blue berries, as well as subtle hints of elegant roasted fruit. The wine also offers beautiful, delicate nuances of blueberry, tobacco, toast, and subtle hints of caramel. Delicate hints of crushed red berries bring an elegant roundness and subtlety, offering a spherical and delicate character. A lovely salinity and a hint of iodine on the finish, with remarkable length. The finish is savory and mellow, with floral notes of lily, violet, and a hint of green cardamom.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Aromatically, the wine stands out for its floral bouquet, combined with notes of mint, crushed stone, red berries, licorice, spices, and wild cherries. On the palate, the wine is perfectly balanced, displaying elegance, finesse, silkiness, freshness, charm, sensuality, and a tannic structure that will allow it to age and evolve with ease for 4 to 5 decades. From start to finish, the fruit displays remarkable purity, with a hint of salt on the finish. There are no harsh edges. The finish is harmonious. This wine is truly beautiful! Best enjoyed between 2029 and 2065.