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

Always exquisitely elegant, this wine never imposes 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 lovely structure, it remains well-balanced and polished, offering a beautiful, lingering finish of fruit and spice. Excellent aging potential. 2030–2040

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.

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 it concludes with a long, briny finish. This is one of Canon’s most robust and full-bodied vintages in recent years, while still retaining its limestone character. As I wrote two years ago, this estate is currently producing its finest series of vintages since the superb postwar series that preceded the frosts of 1956, and the 2022 does indeed evoke a modern version of one of those great years. 2030–2065

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.

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

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 oak casks. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, it is concentrated and precise, with ripe, polished tannins, integrated acidity, and a magnificent finish. Its 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

Depth, definition, and subtlety set the tone from the start. The wine is serene, almost masterful, delicate, and confident. The palate had better be prepared, but it brilliantly absorbs the bouquet’s prowess. Dense, velvety, elegant, and vigorous, the wine can take pride in its quiet strength, its refined energy, and its contemporary vibrancy! 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 cannot be measured—it must be experienced! 2028–2057

The nose is elegant, refined, and deep, with lovely intensity and a subtle, delicate spiciness. It features notes of Boysenberry, wild strawberry, and—more subtly—roasted, elegant red berries, combined with hints of blue plum, blond tobacco, star anise, as well as subtle hints of spice, a refined character, and almost infused aromas that lend a certain depth. The wine is beautifully textured and velvety. On the palate, it is elegant, refined, delicate, and airy, full of finesse and smoothness. It displays richness, density, and depth while remaining light. Notes of creamy blackberry, creamy blackcurrant, and very 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, toasted notes, and subtle hints of caramel. Delicate hints of crushed red berries lend an elegant roundness and subtlety, creating a spherical and delicate character. A lovely salinity and a hint of iodine on the finish, with remarkable length. The finish is savory and velvety, with floral notes of lily, violet, and a hint of green cardamom.

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 gracefully 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.