Château Canon, 1er Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion, 2016

Tasting Note:

Chateau Canon's mantra for 2016 is 'who would have believed it?’ Indeed, after the extraordinary success of their 2015, few would have thought they would equal or surpass last year's efforts. But, Nicolas Audebert and team have only gone and done it… They were probably referring to a time in mid-June when things looked rather bleak, but the next four months turned things around. After much investment from the Wertheimer family and two decades of devotion from John Kolasa, this estate was primed to take off. When Nicolas made the move from Cheval des Andes this great estate seemed to relocate its glory days. The 2016 is produced from 74% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Franc from the limestone clos above Ausone and Belair Monange. Quite reserved and mineral on the nose, with coaxing comes some tayberry and floral notes. There is huge concentration on the palate with an abundance of plums, crème de cassis, stones and mulberry. This perhaps isn't as generous and instantly seductive as the sumptuous 2015, but it is wonderfully sleek, with perfectly integrated tannins, tremendous complexity, a real sense of limestone terroir and stunning tension. Underneath there is a real masculine power, but the delivery is feminine and delicate. Another really stunning Canon!