Bordeaux 2025: Canon, Rauzan Segla and Leoville Poyferre

THREE LEGENDS

We cap off a busy week with three exceptional new releases. The Chanel owned Chateau Canon is a sensational 2025, probably the finest St Emilion we tasted. This limestone vineyard under the watchful eye of Nicolas Audebert and Thomas Duclos has excelled during the heat and drought of the summer, resulting in a wine of harmony and reverberating length. It really is an outstanding depiction of one of Bordeaux’s greatest terroirs.

Their sister property Rauzan Segla has also released this morning. This is another excellent effort from this high-flying Margaux Second Growth; Neal Martin correctly described it as “one of the best wines from the estate in recent years.” It has a beautifully round, sumptuous texture and a lovely creamy fruit profile all coiled around lithe tannins. The components are all present, and with the Chateau’s track record, this will likely emerge even more spectacular after élevage.

Our final release of the week is the brilliant Leoville Poyferre from St Julien. This is a star-studded appellation in 2025, but for many of our team, Poyferre topped the charts, as other recent vintages of Poyferre have at blind tastings. We loved the sleek, powerful core of fruit and the exquisite tannins – this is going to be a sensational bottle of wine. Neal Martin affirms, “If you love Poyferré, then you are going to adore this”.

CRITICS' NOTES

“A blend of 76% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Franc, the 2025 Canon continues this property's brilliant decade-long run of exceptional wines. Unwinding in the glass with a complex bouquet of cherries and raspberries mingled with hints of exotic spices, licorice and petals, it's medium- to full-bodied, suave and concentrated, with a bright spine of acidity and a long, penetrating finish. Harvest stretched from August 28 to September 18.”

96-98/100 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

“The 2025 Canon was picked between August 28 and September 18 at 40 hl/ha. This is very pure and refined on the nose, with wonderful delineation, not as flattering as, say, the 2015 or 2019 at this stage, yet very focused and mineral-driven. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins, quite sapid, with a pinch of cracked black pepper. Like its "sister", Berliquet, the limestone terroir comes through and seems to "tingle" on the finish. Maybe not a crowd-pleaser, but I like its uncompromising nature that reflects its place of birth. Drinking Window 2032 – 2055”

96-98/100 Neal Martin, vinous.com

“The 2025 Canon is a total stunner. Deep and sumptuous in the glass, it offers tons of the vintage's textural intensity along with all the vibrant, saline energy that is such a signature here. Dark-fleshed fruit, mocha, new leather, herbs and dried flowers build gradually in the glass, leading to a huge, dramatic finish laced with hints of blood orange, pomegranate and chalk. The interplay of finesse and power is dazzling. Tasted two times. 2035-2065”

98-100/100 Antonio Galloni, vinous.com

“The 2025 Rauzan-Ségla is promising, opening in the glass with notes of cassis, pencil shavings, sweet soil tones and a deft framing of new oak. Medium- to full-bodied, bright and layered, it's vibrant and concentrated, with a chassis of fine tannins and a penetrating, youthfully structured finish.”

94-96/100 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

“The 2025 Rauzan-Ségla was picked September 2 to 15 at 29 hl/ha and matured in 60% new oak barrels. This has a slight marine scent on the nose, well defined and marked by pure black fruit laced with violet. Quintessential Rauzan Ségla. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant but firm tannins, just gorgeous caressing black fruit, bright acids that lend an almost sorbet-like freshness and vibrancy to the finish. This is a top-class Margaux and one of the best wines from the estate in recent years. Drink 2031-2060.”

94-96/100 Neal Martin, vinous.com

“The 2025 Léoville-Poyferré was picked from September 8 to 23 at just 20.3 hl/ha, undergoing a six-day cold pre-fermentation maceration and matured in 80% new oak. This is quintessential Poyferré on the nose, quite sensual and pure in style, with layers of ripe black fruit, black plum, a hint of camphor and violet. Wonderful delineation. The palate is framed by fine tannins, beautifully balanced, again quite minerally in style, with a precise and persistent graphite-tinged finish. If you love Poyferré, then you are going to adore this. 2032 – 2060”

95-97/100 Neal Martin, vinous.com