2020 Chateau Canon Saint Emilion Grand Cru

2020 Canon is one of the standout wines of the vintage. It was awarded 3 times 100 points, and other several 97+ and above scores. A truly impressive wine. 

Here's what some of the major wine critics are saying:

"Stunning, grab-a-friend, insanely good wine." ~100 Jane Anson

"The brilliant 2020 Canon looks set to surpass both the 2019 and 2016 as this estate's finest wine since the post-war period." ~100 Wine Advocate

"There is simply nothing like great Canon. And 2020 is unquestionably a great Canon." ~100 Vinous Media

"It goes on for minutes. A great wine. Try after 2027, but already thoroughly gorgeous. A classical Canon." ~98 James Suckling

As one of just 18 Premier Grand Crus in Saint Emilion, Clos Canon has a big reputation to live up to. Year after year, it is more apparent that this estate has earned and deserves to maintain this highly-coveted status.The estate's wines have earned multiple 95+ scores, and have been featured on several occasions in Wine Spectator's annual list of the Top 100 Wines of the Year.

Château Canon’s walled vineyard lies at the entrance to Saint-Emilion Grand Cru. It even extends into the village, with the Bourg de Château Canon plot which adjoins the Couvent des Cordeliers in Rue de la Porte Brunet. Surrounded by dwellings, this unique 1,500 square meters parcel is plowed by horse and is hand-harvested in traditional style, vines have been grown on the same plots at Chateau Canon for the last 500 years. 

In 1996, this historical estate was acquired by the luxury fashion brand Chanel. Since then, Château Canon has undergone significant investments and improvements, solidifying its position as one of the leading estates in the Saint-Émilion appellation.

Château Canon is a highly esteemed wine from Saint-Émilion. Known for its exceptional quality, terroir-driven expression, and aging potential, it represents the rich winemaking heritage of Bordeaux. This wine is a dream come true for Bordeaux lovers, and an ode to its magnificent terroir. 

2020 was an exceptional vintage that was awarded 98 points by Vinous Media, who said, “An exceptional vintage for Bordeaux, certainly the best in the 2018-2020 trilogy. Quality is exceptionally high among the great wines of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.”

Aging: 18 to 20 months in French oak barrels.

 68% Merlot and 32% Cabernet Franc.
See Critical Reviews for detailed tasting notes.

Stunning, grab-a-friend, insanely good wine. The structure and tannic grip manage to be both barely there and tightly controlling, giving form and space for the raspberry, blueberry and pomegrante fruits to crowd in the palate, followed by oyster shell salinity, pummice stone scrape and electic points of mandarin peel and lemon grass. Finished with pure no messing about juiciness. ~100 Jane Anson

The brilliant 2020 Canon looks set to surpass both the 2019 and 2016 as this estate's finest wine since the post-war period, though like many of the best 2020s, it will require more patience than its 2019 counterpart. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of cherries and raspberries mingled with notions of exotic spices and iris, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with vibrant acids and beautifully polished, chalky tannins. Pure and precise, it concludes with a long, mouthwatering finish. This beautifully constructed wine communicates the essence of this superb limestone terroir, and it will be worth a special effort to track down and cellar. ~100 Wine Advocate

The 2020 Canon is a wine of mind-blowing purity and nuance. It has been nothing less than thrilling on the three occasions I have tasted it so far. Intensely saline and chalky, the 2020 possesses spellbinding finesse and nuance. Red-toned fruit, crushed rocks, white pepper, rose petal and mint all come alive in the glass, buttressed by clean saline notes that extend the mid-palate into the finish. There is simply nothing like great Canon. And the 2020 is unquestionably a great Canon. ~100 Vinous Media

A classy, open, expressive, and radiant Canon in 2020. Less plush than I was expecting on the palate, this is linear, focussed and refined with a core of juicy red fruits; raspberries, strawberries and cherries. High acidity gives the life force and a sense of joy while still remaining structured and forward. Definitely not as big, or weighty as some in St-Emilion, this is more sophisticated with well-integrated, very fine tannins and good use of oak. It’s not trying too hard, elegant and charming as Canon does so well with freshness and a wide, expansive finish. Clarity and intensity. Brilliant. ~99 Decanter

Black cherries, fresh herbs, lemon rind, and violets on the nose. Crushed stone, too. Medium to full body with super fine tannins that run the length of the wine. It goes on for minutes. A great wine. Try after 2027, but already thoroughly gorgeous. A classical Canon. ~98 James Suckling

Another brilliant Saint-Emilion, the 2020 Château Canon actually reminds me of the 2019 with its pure, elegant, yet concentrated profile. Based on 68% Merlot and 32% Cabernet Franc, it reveals a deep ruby hue as well as classic upper plateau notes of perfumed red and black fruits (black raspberries, darker cherries), wildflowers, graphite, and chalky minerality. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a seamless, elegant mouthfeel, perfectly integrated tannins and acidity, and flawless overall balance. As with the 2019, it's not the blockbuster style of the 2015, but it’s lively, elegant, and pure class. It needs 7-8 years of bottle age to hit maturity and will have 2-3 decades of overall longevity. ~97+ Jeb Dunnuck

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