Canon - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2023

Wine Advocate

98

par Yohan Castaing le 10/04/2026

The 2023 Canon has turned out brilliantly, unfurling aromas of cassis, mulberries, rose petals, raspberries and violets. Medium- to full-bodied, it is layered and finely textured, built around a seamless, deep core of fruit framed by powdery, velvety tannins and concludes with a long, chalk-inflected, crystalline finish. Highly expressive of its terroir through its powdery tannins and limestone-driven finish, it is also very much of its vintage, combining vibrant acidity with an unusually approachable profile. This is a blend of 71% Merlot and 29% Cabernet Franc, all matured in 50% new oak.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

97

par Jane Anson le 09/04/2026

This remains relatively reserved, as it was En Primeur, with decades of ageing ahead. So confident and deft in its delivery of balanced, elegant and finessed black and blue fruits, cut through with rose petals and violet, precise tannins, and mouthwateringly moreish crushed oyster shell and campfire smoke. 50% new oak for ageing, harvest September 6 through to October 4 (with Merlot right through until the end, unlike many places, here they really waited). 45hl/ha yield, in organic conversion.

The Wine Palate

99

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 09/04/2026

A blend of 71% Merlot and 29% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Canon has a pH of 3.42 and was aged in barriques for 16–18 months, of which 50% were new. It is deep garnet-purple in color, soaring from the glass with vibrant notes of red cherry preserves, black raspberries, and wild blueberries, followed by nuances of violets, cinnamon stick, and fragrant earth. The medium- to full-bodied palate shimmers with energetic red and blue fruits, framed by super-satiny tannins and compelling tension, finishing long and fragrant. Absolutely ethereal!

Jeb DUNNUCK

96

par Jeb Dunnuck le 31/03/2026

Based on 71% Merlot and 29% Cabernet Franc and aged 16-18 months in 50% new oak including three foudres, the 2023 Château Canon is a more medium-bodied, finesse-driven wine compared to its sibling Château Berliquet, which is always a bigger, richer wine. It offers red fruits, crushed stone, graphite, chalk, and floral notes on the nose. On the palate, it's focused, with good acidity, just about flawless balance, and a gorgeous finish. Give it 3-4 years if you can and this will be a classic Canon to enjoy over the following two decades. It reminds me slightly of the 2001. Tasted multiple times. Drink 2029-2046.

The Wine Cellar Insider

98

par Jeff Leve le 30/03/2026

Rich, opulent, heady, and hedonistically-styled wine, the nose kicks off with its showy display of black cherries, black raspberries, violets, roses, lilacs, licorice, mint, tobacco, and an array of spices. The palate is geared for pleasure, with multiple layers of richly textured, flamboyant dark, mildly-smoked red fruits, paired with the essence of minerality and a touch of forest greenery. This is the perfect backdrop for the wine's layers of salt-tinged fruits that linger, build, and expand, allowing you to experience a wine with a beautiful sense of purity and no hard edges. The wine blends 71% Merlot with 29% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2029- 2060.

Vinous

96

par Antonio Galloni le 16/03/2026

The 2023 Canon has really come together with élevage. Pliant and supple, the 2023 Canon is a wine of pure and total seduction. Crushed flowers, red cherry fruit, mint and blood orange all take shape in the glass. The 2023 doesn't quite have the dynamic energy of the very best years, but it comes close while also offering more early accessibility than those wines. Tasted three times.

Vinous

94

par Neal Martin le 01/02/2026

The 2023 Canon takes time to open on the nose but reveals attractive red berry fruit, pressed flowers (violet) and a very light marine influence. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. A little spicier than I recall from barrel, with hints of cinnamon and sage, you can feel the tongue tingling after the wine has exited thanks to a pinch of cracked black pepper. Though the 2023 does not quite touch recent peaks, I appreciate the linearity of this Canon and it should age well in bottle.

Jamessuckling.com

99

par James Suckling le 27/01/2026

This may be one of the wines of the vintage, with brightness and ethereal character that give it an almost magical presence. Aromas of violets, lavender and blackberries with transparency and vividness. It’s medium-bodied with elegance and presence that give endless length. A benchmark. The tannins and acidity caress every millimetter of your palate. 71% merlot and 29% cabernet franc. Try after 2030, but already a joy to taste.

My Bettane + Desseauve

96

par Bettane & Desseauve le 15/05/2024

Corps d’une grande précision, avec ce surcroît de délicatesse de texture présent depuis le millésime 2019. Tannin électrique et sanguin, finale émouvante bien assise et en dentelle.

Yvesbeck.wine

98-99

par Yves Beck le 14/05/2024

Canon weckt zunächst die Freude an Harmonie, die Begeisterung am Wein in einem Kontext von Subtilität und Authentizität, in dieser Art und Weise, die uns daran erinnert, dass wir es trotz der Verherrlichung durch unsere Worte und unsere Geschmacksnerven in erster Linie einfach mit einem Wein zu tun haben, der nur darauf wartet, genossen zu werden! Das Bouquet von Canon positioniert sich auf zarte, aber entschlossene Weise, mit einer filigranen und vollendeten Präzision. Der Auftakt beeindruckt in seiner seidigen, eleganten, weinigen Logik. Canon hat Charakter, Charme, Fülle und die Fähigkeit, viele Details in einem umfangreichen Kontext zu enthüllen. Ein relevanter, präziser Wein, vom Bouquet bis zum Finale. Wenn sich Exzellenz mit Bescheidenheit profilieren kann, beginnt man von einer Oase der Ruhe zu träumen, in der nur der Genuss das Sagen hat!

Jeb DUNNUCK

94-96

par Jeb Dunnuck le 13/05/2024

The 2023 Château Canon is an ultra-classic wine from this terroir offering textbook limestone-driven, black raspberry, floral, chalky, and spicy aromas and flavors. As always, it's not massive and is more medium-bodied, with a balanced, elegant mouthfeel, ripe, polished tannins, and no hard edges. It actually reminds me a little of the 2001 from this estate. It's a gorgeous wine that will evolve for 25+ years, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it drink nicely in its youth as well. Tasted multiple times.

Decanter.com

98

par Georgina Hindle le 07/05/2024

Another excellent wine from the team at Canon benefitting from its position on the limestone plateau. Deep florals, violets, black fruits, some purple fruits too with cocoa powder and cool fresh blueberries. Smooth and so refined, this has a comfort in the mouth that few others have - a certain weight that defies the vintage - almost fleshy but more thick juice rather than lean, with a sweet core as well as biting acidity that provides a great contrast. This is a serious wine, it has structure and movement, supple tannins, so fine with a touch of chalk, strawberry, cranberry and red cherry fruit with liquorice spice on the finish. Assured winemaking, ripe fruit, great acidity and body, ending clean and pure with wet stones and graphite touches. Just delicious, a wine that tastes great now and feels like it’ll always be that way. Expansive in the best way. Ageing 16-18 months in 50% new oak as well as foudre. 3.42pH.

The Drinks Business

96-98

par Colin Hay le 07/05/2024

Canon (Saint Émilion; 71% Merlot; 29% Cabernet Franc; a final yield of 45 hl/ha; pH 3.42; 14% alcohol; tasted at the UGC press tasting at the Cité du Vin and then at Canon itself). Sublimely Canon! Dark, rich, cool, composed, calming, intimate, almost a little like entering a dark chapel from the summer sunshine and then focusing in on the details of the stained glass. Pixilated – in colour. Strikingly sharp-focused, with the sensation of that coming from the extra detail and definition afforded by the powdery limestone/chalky tannins. Graphite and black berry and, above all, stone fruits, with a lovely gracious Cabernet leafiness. Sumptuous and sinuous, with just the right amount of fruit concentration to allow this to weave its magical path over the palate. Less substantial than recent vintages but a lovely expression of the vintage. Finely seasoned, above all with limestone fleur de sel! 

The Wine Independent

98-100

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 07/05/2024

A blend of 71% Merlot and 29% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Canon has a pH of 3.42 and it will age in barriques for 16-18 months, of which 50% are new. It is deep garnet-purple in color and sails out of the glass with bold notions of juicy blueberries, fresh plums, and Bing cherries, giving way to hints of black pepper, fragrant soil, and violets. The medium to full-bodied palate shimmers with energetic black and blue fruits, framed by super-satiny tannins and compelling tension, finishing long and fragrant. Absolutely ethereal!

The Wine Cellar Insider

97-99

par Jeff Leve le 06/05/2024

Violets, roses, and lilacs kick off the floral display. You also find cherries, plums, black raspberries, cigar box, and spice, with a touch of licorice. There is balance between the vivacity, and sweetness, strong sense of crushed rocks, and stones, depth, and intensity. The finish is racy, in all the best ways, which is the perfect backdrop for the wines layers of salt-tinged fruits that linger. The best part of the wine is that the fruit expresses a beautiful sense of purity, with no hard . edges. The wine blends 71% Merlot with 29% Cabernet Franc. 14% ABV. 3.41. Harvesting took place September 6 - October 4. The length of the harvest is one of the key points to the vintage, as the estate was able to stop, start ,and wait for phenolic ripeness. Drink from 2030- 2060. 96-98 Pts.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

96

par Jane Anson le 06/05/2024

Finesse and saline limestone character on full display, spiced plum, textural as ever, with finely boned architecture, in the line of great Canon vintages, with density to the black fruits and the mouthwateringly precise tannic grip and oyster shell salinity. 50% new oak for ageing, harvest September 6 through to October 4 (with Merlot going right through until the end, unlike many places, here they really waited). 45hl/ha yield, in organic conversion. Tasted twice.

Vinous

94-96

par Antonio Galloni le 30/04/2024

A wine of classicism and reserve, the 2023 Canon is less overtly expressive than most recent vintages, keeping much of its personality in reserve. Nevertheless, I watched it grow considerably over the two weeks I spent in Bordeaux. Bright red-toned fruit, blood orange, mint and spice are some of the many notes that open in the glass. It is a wine that marries generous fruit with classical rigor. I won't be surprised if it shows even better with time. Tasted four times.

Vinous

94-96

par Neal Martin le 29/04/2024

The 2023 Canon was picked from around 6 September to 6 October at 45hL/ha and matured in 50% new oak. It has a perfumed bouquet with pure black cherries and touches of cassis and violet. The oak is beautifully integrated. Perhaps if I have to quibble, it is not quite as complex as the very best recent vintages, but that's a high bar nowadays. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black cherry fruit laced with iodine, and veins of blue fruit. There is a sorbet-like freshness embroidered throughout this Canon, and it delivers a lovely cracked black pepper note on the finish. Excellent. Again.

Falstaff

96

par Peter Moser le 29/04/2024

Dark ruby, deep core, purple reflections, brightening on the edge. Fine, attractive old wood notes, dark cherry fruit, hints of blackberries, a hint of nougat, candied orange zest. Juicy on the palate, complex, elegant and harmonious, hints of cloves, ripe, round tannins, pronounced fruit in the finish, balanced and persistent, great finesse, a good food wine with certain ageing potential.

Alexandre Ma

95-97

par Alexandre Ma le 28/04/2024

Wine Advocate

96-98

par William Kelley le 26/04/2024

Wafting from the glass with aromas of mulberries and raspberries mingled with spices, rose petals, licorice and violets, the 2023 Canon is another brilliant wine from a property whose excellence can almost be taken for granted. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's seamless and concentrated, its vibrant core of fruit framed by sweet, powdery tannins and girdled by lively acids, concluding with a long, mineral finish.

Jamessuckling.com

99-100

par James Suckling le 25/04/2024

This is so elegant and sophisticated already, with a really electric presence and length that goes on and on. It's medium- to full-bodied with an intensity of tannins. It remains weightless and energetic. The pH is 3.41, making this a vivid and lively wine. Currant, orange and stone. Sea salt, too. The limestone soils created a unique wine here in 2023. A blend of 71% merlot and 29% cabernet franc.