Wine Advocate 93 / 100 byNeal Martinthe3/31/2017 The 2011 Canon is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. It is undoubtedly one of the stars of the vintage, certainly one of the strongest offerings from Saint Emilion. The nose is bright, animated and playful with copious red cherries, fresh strawberry and dark plum aromas bursting from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, backward compared to more extrovert Saint Emilions such as La Mondotte—a tensile, poised Saint Emilion that is destined to last longer than its peers. Classic in style, endearing and mineral-driven, this is a superb wine from the estate. This is a supreme success courtesy of former winemaker, John Kolasa. Tasted May 2015.
Decanter Magazine 16,5 / 20 the12/31/2014 Red fruits nose with quite polished and well-structured fruit on the palate. Finishes long and noteworthy but noble tannins. Drink 2015-2025.(88/100 points)
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 90 / 100 byIan D'Agatathe8/31/2014 Bright full ruby. Floral blackberry, raspberry, licorice, lead pencil and a faint herbal note on the nose. Juicy, spicy and precise, offering good sweetness to its red and dark fruit flavors. Finishes fresh, focused and long, with very good grip and a white pepper nuance.
Wine Advocate 94 / 100 byRobert Parkerthe5/2/2014 A super effort from Chateau Canon, this property, owned by the proprietors of the haute couture house of Chanel, has turned in a stunningly rich 2011 Canon with a full-bodied texture and surprising concentration and purity. It is a noble, intense Canon with sweet tannin, lavish concentration (atypical for the vintage), and a stunningly long finish. It should drink well for two decades, and will always be one of the major stars of the vintage. Bravo!
Jamessuckling.com 93 / 100 byJames Sucklingthe2/19/2014 A young red with polish and poise. It sneaks up on you. Full body with plum, blackberry and light mineral and chalk undertones. Extremely fine tannins that build on your palate. The texture makes this wine outstanding. Try in 2017.
Wine Spectator 91 / 100 byJames Molesworththe2/11/2014 Pretty solid, with a core of plum cake and blackberry confiture studded with warm ganache and fruitcake notes. The plush, open finish has a flattering feel, showing subtle persistence. Drink now through 2022.
Jamessuckling.com 97 / 100 byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2013 This wine shows fabulous aromas of stones and flowers with dried fruits and spices. It’s subtle yet full with ultra-fine tannins and a gorgeous, long finish. Drink now.
La Revue du Vin de France 16-17 / 20 the5/31/2012 Vendangé le plus tôt de tous les premiers grands crus classés (7-17 septembre), il affirme un style croquant dans lequel progresse le cabernet franc (les vignes plantées en 1998 entrent déjà dans le grand vin). 30% cabernet franc, 70% merlot, le 2011 est assez fermé, homogène, tendu, à la fois puissant, frais et d'intensité moyenne. Il évoque 2008 avec plus de volume, d'élégance et devrait bien vieillir sur 15 ans.
Le Point 16,5-17 / 20 byJacques Dupontthe5/17/2012 Nez fraise mûre, réglisse, bouche délicate, fraîche, tendre, élégante, tanins doux, souples, soyeux, pas trop extrait, joli fruit. Vin en finesse mais bien tramé. O= 2018 G= 15 ans
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 90-92 / 100 byIan D'Agatathe5/12/2012 Ruby-red. Lovely perfume of strawberry, red berries and white pepper, with the cabernet franc component currently dominating. Captivating and refined, showing lovely inner-mouth perfume to the flavors of red berries, minerals and flower. Finishes with mounting, polished tannins. A very pure, lacy wine in the making.
Decanter.com 17 / 20 the4/30/2012 Pure and refined but without the Eclat of the last three vintages. Still very fine and satisfying. In harmony with the vintage. Drink 2018-2030.
Wine Advocate 87-89 / 100 byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2012 The 2011 Canon is primarily Merlot blended with 25-30% Cabernet Franc from the estate’s 85 acres (now one of St.-Emilion’s largest properties since they have been purchasing adjacent parcels on the top of St.-Emilion’s limestone plateau). With 13.5% natural alcohol, the traditionally-styled 2011 possesses a deep ruby/purple color, sweet plum, black currant and mossy/forest floor-like notes, a hint of crushed chalk, and a medium-bodied, zesty finish displaying sweet tannin as well as vibrant acidity. This wine will require 2-4 years of cellaring and should drink well for 15 or more.
TAST 16-16,5 / 20 by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2012 Nez fumé, bouche droite et volumineuse, plus en structure qu'en nuances. Le volum est pour l'instant en place, mais l'ensemble reste pour l'instant d'une personnalité un peu limitée à force d'être sans asperités.
The Wine Cellar Insider 92-93 / 100 byJeff Levethe4/27/2012 Blending 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13.55% alcohol and will be aged in 70% new oak. The Merlot was harvested starting September 7, for the young vines and September 13 for the old vines, ending September16. Cabernet Franc was picked September 16 -17. Floral, stone, cherry blossom, black raspberry and kirsch create the complex aromatics. Silky, soft and fresh, the precise finish ends with round, sweet, pure red berries and minerality. 92-93 Pts
Wine Advocate 93-95 / 100 byNeal Martinthe4/27/2012 The Canon 2011 is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, picked from 7th until 17th September. One of Saint Emilion’s highlights, it has a lovely bouquet with wild strawberry and dark plum aromas that are very well defined and quite powerful in the context of the vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins, a silky smooth texture and a very composed, very pure finish that delicately caresses the mouth. The acidity is nigh on perfect, lending it a sense of weightlessness. This is a great 2011 and one of Saint Emilion’s top crus. Tasted April 2012
Jancis Robinson 16,5 / 20 byJulia Harding MWthe4/24/2012 Drink 2016-2024 Dark black cherry. Not very expressive on the nose yet there's purity of black fruit rather than too much oak. Juicy red fruit on the palate. Quite a bit lighter and gentler than some, moderate length. Tannins are tight, fine, not overworked. (JH)
Wine Spectator 89-92 / 100 byJames Molesworththe4/10/2012 This has a clean, sleek profile of fresh plum and raspberry coulis, relatively light-handed toast and nice flashes of anise and mineral on the silky finish.—J.M.
Wine Enthusiast 93-95 / 100 byRoger Vossthe4/6/2012 A firm and tannic wine, it has the weight to support its tannins. It’s balanced, solid and dense, with a powerful shot of black fruits. —R.V
Jamessuckling.com 92-93 / 100 byJames Sucklingthe4/1/2012 A wine with balance and freshness with an orange peel and blueberry character. Medium to full body, with firm tannins and clean, bright finish. Merlot 70% and 30% Cabernet France. This has a little more Cabernet Franc. than in past recent vintages.