Château Canon, 1er Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion, 2022

Name: Château Canon, 1er Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion
Brand: Château Canon
Price: 815.12 GBP

Available Vintages

all 2015 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

justerini & brooks tasting note

"Remarkable ripeness of the Cabernet Franc. Charm and fleshiness of the Merlot. Dense but right. Canon above all", is how Nicolas Audebert sums up the 2022 vintage. The limestone Cote of St Emilion has produced some thrilling wines and it comes as no surprise that Canon is one of the leading lights. What a glorious wine, full of sophistication, charm and energy, with a clear limestone signature. Initially floral, notes of herbs and salt underpinned by dark berries and plum stones. The palate displays the ripeness of the vintage with beautiful robe of purple fruit and fresh cherry: vivid and pulsating with life. Although concentrated, you're left with a sense of fine grained classicism. A wine of perfect harmony, the tannins possess a distinct limestone character, while the fruit has a wonderful combination of density and lift. 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc.

critic reviews

98/100Chris Kissack,The Wine Independent

This is 75% Merlot, and 25% Cabernet Franc, matured in barrel for 18 months, including 50% new oak. Harvesting started at 5 am here, by torchlight, to keep the coolness and freshness in the fruit. Revisited now that it is in bottle it shows quite reticently on the nose, being slow to reveal its dark and brooding yet floral aromatics, with notes of cranberry, black cherry, black pepper and white rose petals, as well as the suggestion of a defined and linear limestone tension. The palate holds together well, with a very restrained and yet perfumed core of fruit, supported by a rich limestone tannic structure, giving it a bright and peppery edge. It feels elegant and pure, focused and long, with a midpalate and finish wrapped in powdery tannins. It has length, although it is packed out with a tannic grip which lingers on and on. This is a super Canon, filled with tension and structure;it is set to develop in a quite brilliant fashion. Tasted three times. The alcohol on the label is 14.5%.

DRINKING WINDOW 2030 - 2065

date of review 06/2025

98/100Jane Anson,Inside Bordeaux

Well structured, an exceptional wine, and one that will age without a worry. Great depth to the creamy black, blue and red fruits, enjoyable sage and white pepper spice, touches of lemongrass and mandarin peel, plenty of concentration, has signature and complexity, with an ocean spray salinity on the finish. 45hl/h yield after careful vineyard work to protect the grapes from the heat, aged in 50% new oak, including four large oak casks, in organic conversion.

DRINKING WINDOW 2030 - 2050

date of review 03/2025

98/100Neal Martin,Vinous

The 2022 Canon has an exquisite bouquet that stops you in your tracks with heavenly blackberry, blueberry, violet and crushed limestone tones—articulating its terroir in consummate style. This has brilliant delineation and just soars from the glass. The medium-bodied palate features fine tannins, a very mineral-driven, almost symmetrical texture and a hint of black olive compote on the finish. It is an outstanding Saint-Émilion and certainly one of the best vintages produced at Canon.

DRINKING WINDOW 2032 - 2075

date of review 02/2025

99-100/100William Kelley,Robert Parker Wine Advocate

From an estate that is delivering its greatest run of vintages since the superb Post War series that preceded the frosts of 1956, the 2022 Canon is a magical wine that will be worth every effort to track down. Wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, wild plums and cherries mingled with hints of bay leaf, spices and violets, it's full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with huge levels of concentration, vibrant acids and beautifully refined tannins. Concluding with a long, saline finish, this pure, perfumed and ineffably complete Canon is built for the ages, even if its structural polish is such that it will be approachable at a surprisingly early age.

date of review 04/2023