Château Canon Saint-Émilion 2025 - 1er Grand Cru Classé (Primeurs)

Guide Hachette des vins

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, 12 of which come from the Grand Cru Classé Matras, acquired in 2011, which now produces the second wine, Croix Canon.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

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 bought 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, then 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 homogeneity on the asterian limestone of the plateau offers refined consistency, 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:

The 2025 vintage was harvested between August 28 and September 18, with a yield of 40 hl/ha. It has a very pure and refined nose, with lovely precision; while it is not yet as appealing as a 2015 or a 2019 at this stage, it is nonetheless very concentrated and marked by mineral notes. The palate is medium-bodied, with subtle tannins, quite savory, and a hint of crushed black pepper. Like its “sister,” the Berliquet, the limestone terroir comes through and seems to “tingle” on the finish. It may not be a wine that appeals to everyone, but I appreciate its uncompromising character, which reflects its place of origin. 2032–2055

Jeb Dunnuck

Terre de Vins

Yves Beck

About the wine:

There are wines that make a bold statement, that grab your attention, that flaunt their qualities. Then there are the more cerebral wines that recount the course of the season, revealing their distinctive traits sparingly to highlight their complexity. And then there is Canon. Its nonchalance, elegance, and serenity have a reassuring quality. It’s obviously not easy to handle, but apparently all you have to do is follow it where it wants to go—or rather, accompany it to where it knows it wants to be! The nuances that blend freshness and terroir create a remarkable harmony all on their own. Next, the wine enchants with an exceptional mouthfeel. It need only brush against the palate to win you over with unparalleled delicacy, with the precision of a master craftsman, and with that astonishing ability to dazzle without overwhelming! There is intensity, yes, but there is so much silkiness, delicacy, power, and passion! The wine follows a linear progression, unfolding in a single stroke with breathtaking serenity, with a disconcerting ability to capture so much energy and power while restoring such finesse and depth. It’s a masterpiece. It’s enormous. Very moving. 2030–2065

Jean-Marc Quarin