Canon - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012

Wine Advocate

92-92

byNeal Martinthe9/20/2022

The 2012 Canon just misses a little delineation on the nose, smudged red berry fruit, desiccated orange peel, camphor and fresh figs. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded tannins, a generous dab of white pepper sprinkled over the red fruit, clove and sage towards the balanced and focused finish. Perhaps just compromised by the aromatics at the moment, but I might leave this in bottle to see how it evolves. Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index's Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.

Wine Advocate

94

byNeal Martinthe3/31/2017

Tasted from several bottles in recent months, the 2012 Canon is a stupendous wine for the vintage and if anything, it appears to be improving with each encounter. It clearly serves up more than enough volume and fruit intensity on the nose compared to the impressive 2011 Canon: it is very pure with black cherries, wild strawberry, asphalt and blood orange. This is very well defined and beautifully focused. The palate is medium-bodied, silky smooth and with that thrilling sense of frisson. There is so much vivacity wound up inside this Saint Emilion that it would not surprise me if it turns out to be one of the very best in 2012. Tasted January 2017.

Wine Advocate

92

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2015

The 2012 is the first truly profound Canon under the administration of the Wertheimers, the family that owns the famous haute couture house of Chanel. Improvement has been noticeable for a number of years, but this wine is remarkable, particularly in view of a more challenging vintage. The color is a healthy dark ruby/purple, and the wine offers up great minerality along with floral, black-fruited characteristics. What’s not a surprise are the nobility, elegance and finesse of this wine (70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc) married with serious richness and intensity. Give it another 5-6 years and drink it over the following 20-25 years. 92+

Jamessuckling.com

93

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015

A red with blueberry, blackberry and walnut character. Chocolate too. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. This is tight and dense. Extremely polished tannins and a long finish. Another 2001. Better in 2018.

Jancis Robinson

17

byJancis Robinsonthe12/11/2014

Racy meat-extract nose. Good energy and vitality without too much exaggeration. Just a hint of cocoa powder. Very polished.Drink 2018-2030

Jancis Robinson

17

byJancis Robinsonthe10/23/2014

Racy meat-extract nose. Good energy and vitality without too much exaggeration. Just a hint of cocoa powder. Very polished. 2018-2030

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

89-92

byIan D'Agatathe6/30/2013

Good bright red-ruby.  Coffee and chocolate scents of new oak complement deep strawberry and dark cherry aromas on the brooding nose.  On the palate, sweet cassis, black plum and mineral flavors are lifted by an element of peppery herbs.  Finishes youthfully dry, with building tannins and suggestions of herbs, pepper and mint.  Lovely balance and precision here: Canon has really turned the corner in the last several years.

Le Point

16,5

byJacques Dupontthe5/16/2013

Nez épicé, fruits noirs, bouche élégante, tendue, fraîche, petits tanins croquants, joli fruit. O= 2017 G= 12 ans

Asian Palate

91

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe5/15/2013

A beautiful wine with gorgeous velvety texture and great depth. Layered, fairly dense with an array of flavours - plums, blackberries and hint of cedar. Lovely texture and length. Tasted twice, this wine showed well both times.

Wine Advocate

94-96

byNeal Martinthe5/6/2013

Tasted at a négociant tasting, the Canon ’12 has a perfumed, mineral-rich bouquet with vibrant red berry fruit that blossom in the glass. As usual, it is understated and refined. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, a silver thread of acidity and a rather masculine, structured finish that comes at somewhat of a surprise. This is a cerebral Canon that will repay cellaring. Excellent. Tasted April 2013.

Wine Spectator

88-91

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2013

Displays a rather firm coating of chalk dust and vanilla notes, with a core of subdued plum and blackberry fruit. Verges on an extracted feel, but comes out solid and sculpted in the end. —J.M.

matthewjukes.com

17.5

byMatthew Jukesthe4/30/2013

Jean-Marc QUARIN

17

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/29/2013

Beau rouge sombre. Nez très parfumé, au fruité pur, accompagné d’une note fleurie.  Le vin caresse la bouche sur un corps moelleux et éclatant de fruit. Finale très savoureuse et sans âpreté. Un délice ! Inutile de le décanter. Goûté 5 fois  à l’identique en 2016. Superbe évolution depuis les primeurs. Les gourmands le goûteront de suite sinon attendre 2020 et avant 2035. 

Jancis Robinson

15,5

byJulia Harding MWthe4/26/2013

Drink 2017-2023Highly distinctive notes marked by beef extract and ripe damsons, as well as oak toast. Rather one-dimensional on the palate. (JH)

Wine Advocate

91-94

byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013

A dense ruby/purple color is followed by notes of black raspberries, blueberries, crushed rocks and spring flowers. This medium to full-bodied, well-endowed, authoritative Canon reveals some serious tannin in the finish, so 4-5 years of cellaring will be needed after bottling. It should last 15-20 years. Owned by the Wertheimers (also the proprietors of the enormously successful haut-couture house of Chanel), this is a pure, stylish, nicely textured, impressive effort from a superb terroir on the limestone plateau of St.-Emilion. The final blend was 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, and yields were a modest 35 hectoliters per hectare.Drink: 2013 - 2033

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-92

byJeff Levethe4/26/2013

Earth, stone, fresh red berries, medium-bodied, soft and fresh, this is a forward style for Canon, making it one of the vintages tasters can enjoy young. 90-92 Pts

Jamessuckling.com

92-93

byJames Sucklingthe4/4/2013

A very silky and elegant wine that finishes beautifully. Full-to-medium body, with well integrated tannins and a refined and pretty finish. It goes on nicely with chocolate, walnuts, hazelnuts, and delicate fruit. Very savory. Lovely texture.