Château Canon - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1996

Wine Advocate

80 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/1999

I am convinced this property will rebound given the investment and management team now in place. However, they are still trying to overcome the problems of the early nineties (i.e., tainted wines with musty aromas and flavors). The 1996 Canon is a lean, austere, delicate wine with a dark ruby color and medium body, but little intensity or length. Angular and compressed, it is likely to dry out over the next decade. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2015.

Wine Spectator

83 / 100

par James Suckling le 31/01/1999

Some good berry and tobacco character but slightly herbal. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins, but a diluted center-palate. Rather light for Canon. Drink now. 4,300 cases made.

Wine Advocate

82-84 / 100

par Robert Parker le 01/09/1998

Tasted four times, this wine consistently has been disjointed and in search of an identity. The color is a healthy dark ruby, and the wine is medium-bodied, with some ripe fruit poking its way through the mineral-dominated nose. Given the fact that the new owners, the perfume giants, Chanel, have made both a severe selection and considerable investments in ridding the cellar of the pollution that had caused problems with such previous vintages as 1993, 1994, and 1995, I had expected a more interesting wine. The 1996 was extremely unevolved and difficult to assess. It will be good, possibly excellent, but I wish it had more flesh and depth of fruit. Last tasted 11/97

Wine Advocate

83-85 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/1998

This medium ruby/plum-colored wine offers sweet notes of black fruits in the nose, but they quickly fade to reveal earth, loamy soil, mineral, oak, and weedy scents. There is some pleasant richness on the attack of this medium-bodied wine, but it closes down to display severe tannin and an angular, lean personality. The acidity is high, the tannin excessive, and the wine is a strong candidate to dry out. My rating may prove to be overly generous. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2010. There is no question that this property will make a strong comeback given the fact that the new owner, the perfume and couture giant, Chanel, is intent on bringing Canon back to its former glory (look at what Chanel has done at Rauzan-Segla in the appellation of Margaux). That being said, this wine was unimpressive.

Wine Advocate

85-86 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/1997