Under the supervision of Nicolas Audebert, Canon and Rauzan Segla have become the darlings of the primeurs line-up. This elegant Chanel owned pairing has been joined by Berliquet, which also looks destined for stardom.
Given the consistency and quality of Canon over the past decade, and its enviable position on the limestone Côte of St Emilion, it’s no surprise that there’s talk of a potential reclassification. An “A” line would be a fitting accessory. We love the style of the 2021; there is admirable ripeness, but with a real sense of tension and class.
Read MoreChâteau Canon
“A brilliant wine in the making, the 2021 Canon offers up aromas of cherries, wild berries, licorice, sweet soil tones, raw cocoa, Indian spices and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, it's immensely refined and seamless, with a lively spine of acidity, ripe tannins and a long, penetrating, intensely saline finish. This beautifully balanced Canon is one of the classiest, most complete wines of the Right Bank in this vintage. Tasted four times.* 94-96/100*” – William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
As ever, Rauzan Segla is amongst the top wines of the Margaux appellation, and one of the highlights of the Médoc. Graceful and refined, with lots of subtle nuances, yet there’s a real concentration and depth too. This is a magnificent wine, brimming with exuberance and charm.
Château Rauzan Segla
“According to Nicolas Audebert, the 2021 Rauzan Ségla has a reduced proportion of Merlot, as a consequence of which it was felt that the Petit Verdot crowded out the final blend and was thus demoted to the Deuxième Vin. Matured in 60% new oak for an intended 18 months, it has a surprisingly opulent bouquet with conspicuous Merlot that has the hubris to vie for attention with the Cabernet. Very pure and well-defined, this gains intensity in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with very finely chiseled tannins, displaying disarming purity and poise. Minerally on the finish, with just the faintest hint of dark chocolate on the aftertaste. Precision, precision, precision. (13.0% alcohol) 94-96/100” – Neal Martin, vinous.com
“Representing around 44% of the estate's production (more or less as usual), the 2021 Rauzan-Ségla unwinds in the glass with aromas of minty cassis, blackberries, loamy soil, dark chocolate and warm spices. Medium to full-bodied, deep and impressively concentrated, it's layered and seamless, with a sweet core of fruit, powdery tannins, lively acids and an impressively penetrating finish. The Rauzan team opted to ferment Merlot rather cooler than normal this year to moderate extraction. Tasted six times. 93-95/100” – William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
We also have a handful of cases of Berliquet left. This neighbour to Canon is now under the guidance of Nicolas Audebert and Thomas Duclos. Their 2021 is to our palates, the most cohesive and interesting example to date.