Canon - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2017

Wine Advocate

96

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/17/2020

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Canon bursts from the glass with expressive notions of baked black cherries, kirsch, plum preserves and black raspberries plus hints of red roses, Ceylon tea, black olives and fertile loam. Medium-bodied, the palate is wonderfully elegant and refined, with a soft, finely grained texture and seamless freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. The blend is 77% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Franc and it was aged for 18 months in French oak, 50% new. Drinking Window : 2021 - 2045. 96+

Vinous

97

byAntonio Gallonithe3/11/2020

Nicolas Audebert and his team have done it again. The 2017 Canon is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. Rich and vertical in construction, the 2017 possesses off-the-charts richness and intensity in all of its dimensions. In the glass, the 2017 is sumptuous and layered, with superb detail and tons of sheer pedigree. In 20 years, readers will have a fabulous time tasting the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 together and debating their respective merits. Dark plum fruit, striking Franc aromatics and the clean, focused energy of Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau make for a ravishing, exquisite wine of the highest level. In a word: breathtaking.

Wine Spectator

94

byJames Molesworththe2/7/2020

A subtle savory note leads the way, backed by ample cassis, plum and black cherry fruit aromas and flavors. Tobacco and dark earth details fill in on the finish, which shows solid cut and drive. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2038. — JM

Jamessuckling.com

95

byJames Sucklingthe1/13/2020

Extremely perfumed with blackcurrants, flowers, gunmetal, gunpowder and blackberries. Full-bodied, tight and reserved. The tannins are so tightly knit and just run through the center. Needs at least three or four years to open. A blend of 77% merlot and 23% cabernet franc. Better after 2023.

Le Point

17,5-18

byJacques Dupontthe6/20/2018

Fruits noirs, cerise noire, bouche ample, gourmande, dense, tonique, vif, une nervosité qui provient des tanins plus que de l’acidité, très joli fruit. D’une grande élégance, sapide.

Jeb DUNNUCK

94-97

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/12/2018

One of the gems in the vintage is the 2017 Château Canon, which checks in at 73% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Franc. Sensational notes of black cherries, blueberries, liquid violets, awesome graphite, and scorched earth-like minerality all give way to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, incredibly pure, yet masculine beauty that has building tannin, beautiful purity of fruit, and a great finish. It's not going to match the 2015 on sheer size and scale, but it's a sensational wine. It’s going to need 3-4 years of bottle age to be drinkable and will keep for two decades or more. Tasted twice.

Vinifera

95

byJacques Perrinthe5/28/2018

Magnifique et émouvant nez de violette, nuances de réséda, on devine un vrai vin de terroir. Bouche de grand charme, charnue et fine, fraîche, sans opulence mais déliée et toute en nuances.

Vinous

93-96

byAntonio Gallonithe5/15/2018

A rich, explosive wine, the 2017 Canon exudes class from the very first taste. Huge aromatics resonate through to the palate, where the wine is deep, fleshy and beautifully layered. Effortless and gracious, Canon is a wine of real pedigree. I don't think the 2017 will reach the dizzying heights of the 2015 or 2016, but it will be interesting to see how close it gets.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96

byJeff Levethe5/11/2018

With a dark red-purple color, the wine is supple and sleek. The fruit is ambrosial. There is vigor and length. The finish lingers along the tiers of ripe dark and red fruits and glycerin. Formulated from a blend of 73% Merlot and 27% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 14% alcohol.

Vinous

92-94

byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018

The 2017 Canon was picked 4 to 21 September and 22 to 27 September for the Merlot and Cabernet Franc at 42hl/ha and matured in 56% new oak. There is 14.0° alcohol this year and the pH comes in at 3.66. This takes a little time to open, eventually revealing blackberry, briary, crushed stone and light iris scents. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins and good backbone. Strangely, it reminds me a little of modern-day Figeac, that Cabernet component smaller here but very expressive with touches of graphite and flint towards the linear but beguilingly fresh finish. I like the manner in which the limestone shines through the wine here, something noticeable in recent vintages. Whilst not the sensational 2015 or 2016, it is a damn fine Saint-Émilion that will settle at the top of my banded score.

Wine Advocate

94-96

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/27/2018

The deep purple-black colored 2017 Canon offers-up intense notes of crushed blackberries, black cherries and warm cassis with touches of fertile loam, yeast extract, beef drippings and iron ore plus a waft of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied with great freshness and firm, rounded tannins, it's very earthy in the mouth, finishing long and mineral-laced. A very serious wine, it is also fun, bright and vivacious and should age impressively.

Decanter.com

94

byJane Ansonthe4/25/2018

Another successful year for Canon; not as voluptuous as in 2016 or 2015, but it has a wonderful salinity and a crisp, fresh curl to the fruit. They aim for crystalline flavours, vibrant fruit and a sense of forward motion, and for me it has that again this year. The flavours of blueberries, blackberries and soft, smoky almonds are drawn out through the palate, and by the time it has finished you are ready to go again. It has an austerity that is overridden by the juice, not quite overriding the vintage, but it's a delicious wine that again showcases the beauty of limestone. 50% new oak. Thomas Duclot is consultant here, and it really is a great year for the estates that he works with.

Drinking Window 2025 - 2040

WeinWisser

18

byRené Gabrielthe4/25/2018

Jean-Marc QUARIN

18

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/17/2018

Wine Enthusiast

93-95

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2018

Rich and densely concentrated, this wine has a generous character. It is not hugely structured, but does have great black fruits and a warm, rounded character, so it will develop relatively quickly. Drink from 2022.

Jamessuckling.com

94-95

byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2018

This is very focused and fresh with limestone and crushed-stone character. Medium to full body, integrated tannins and a salty finish. Shows lots of minerality already. Umami licorice undertones.

Wine Spectator

93-96

byJames Molesworththe4/4/2018

A very pretty, slightly high-pitched version, featuring sleek cherry, cassis and damson plum fruit racing through, picking up light savory and mineral notes. The minerality blooms through the finish, with a floral gilding adding a sparkly effect on the long, unencumbered finish.—J.M.