2016 CROIX CANON, Grand Cru. Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux

76% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, matured in oak (25% new) for a year.

Château Canon sits on the top of St Emilion’s famous limestone plateau. It was founded in the early 18th century and is now owned, since 1996, by Chanel. It has 34 hectares of vines and is worth visiting for its extraodinary limestone caves. Head winemaker is Nicolas Audebert.

The 2016 vintage of Château Canon (the first wine) has received huge acclaim, including a score of 98+ points from Lisa Perrotti-Brown (in the Wine Advocate) and now sells at over £140 per bottle.

We were really impressed by the combination of intensity and elegance here – not expensive by the standards of ‘right bank’ estates.

“Deep ruby in the glass, this is wonderfully perfumed on the nose, with cherry blossom and violet alongside cool, dark fruit. There are accents of spice too, but they are subtle and integrated. The palate is wonderfully textured, cashmere tannins melting into the dark cherry and cocoa fruit. The seamless mouthfeel allows the fruit and spice to intermingle brilliantly, and there is already a saline, savoury edge. Perfectly proportioned and vibrant through to a long finish, this might be the best Croix Canon yet!” Farr Vintners tasting 2022.