2016 Canon

100 POINTS

Yves Beck - Yvesbeck.wine

Pourpre moyen aux reflets violets. Savez-vous à quoi l'on peut reconnaître un grand vin ? À son aptitude à ne pas vouloir en jeter plein la vue dès le début… mais à adopter une attitude subtile, donc sans taper du poing sur la table ou en parlant fort. C'est exactement ce que le bouquet de Canon arrive à faire. Il n'est pas là pour faire un show, mais juste pour démontrer qu'il fait partie des plus grandes réussites de 2016. Quelle complexité, quelle subtilité et quelle précision. La mise en bouche est compacte, fine et puissante, tout en étant délicate… ! Cette logique se poursuit en bouche où l'ensemble des éléments remplissent à merveille leur rôle. La structure acide fournit de la race, du jus et de la fraîcheur, la douceur arrondit les angles tandis que les tannins affichent puissance et profondeur de manière majestueuse. Respect à toute l'équipe de Canon. 2024-2056 100/100

98 POINTS

Neal Martin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2016 Canon makes it a double slam-dunk for head winemaker Nicolas Audebert and his team, as it is the second of two ethereal wines that will put the estate right at the top of the Saint Emilion tree. This year is a blend of 74% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc picked from 22 September until 10 October at 45 hectoliters per hectare. It delivers 14.02% alcohol and an IPT of 65. Matured in 65% new oak, it has a compelling bouquet with intense black cherry and blueberry fruit, a tincture of oyster shell, all with exquisite definition. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannin, and again, there is stunning, almost ineffable precision. It is attired in a seamless texture with real density yet weightlessness on the finish. The persistence on the aftertaste is extraordinary. I composed this entire tasting note after spitting out the wine, but I can still feel my mouth tingling now. The 2015 was magnificent, but could this 2016 surpass that? "The 2016 is more Canon in style, more classic," commented Nicolas, and he could be right, although intuition tells me that the 2015 might be a hair's breadth better. I would not refuse either if they were opened before me.

98 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Composed of 74% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc and aged for 18 months in 70% new French barriques, the 2016 Canon is medium to deep garnet-purple in color, and—WOW—it opens with the most stunning perfume of violets, red roses and kirsch, giving way to a core of black cherry preserves, chocolate box, licorice, warm plums and Chinese five spice plus an earthy waft of underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is completely filled with expressive, perfumed black berry layers accented by lively red fruits and exotic spices, supported by impressively fine-grained tannins and fantastic tension, finishing very long with jaw-dropping energy. Tasted three times, I had one opportunity to taste the 2015 and 2016 Canon side by side. While I love the bold, rich, seductive nature of the 2015, this 2016 kicks it up a notch in terms of polish, precision, depth and persistence. Most notably, the superbly ripe, exquisitely fine-grained tannins on this 2016 bring to the table a whole other level of sophistication. Bravo!

97 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

Barrel Sample. A powerful, concentrated and superripe wine, this is major. The wine's juicy black-plum fruit balances its dark tannins and density. You can sense the impressive future for this structured wine.

97 POINTS

Peter Moser - Falstaff

Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Red berry fruit on the nose, juicy cherry, blueberry, a touch of nougat and a herbal savoury touch. Juicy, pleasant extract sweetness, ripe cherry, fine, supporting tannins, very good length and builds up towards the end. Elegant and persistent.

97 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

This has all the power that St-Emilion can deliver, but deals it out slowly with precision, gorgeous balance and a clean lift. It has great concentration, purity and depth, without sacrificing the integrity of the juicy blueberry and cassis fruits. It really is a great example of what the limestone plateau can do. The 2015 delivers a slightly more voluptuous edge to the fruits, whereas this vintage emphasises fresh mint leaf, salinity and grip. A wonderful wine, utterly delicious.

97 POINTS

James Suckling

Complex aromas of blackberries, iodine, oyster shell and wet earth. Ever so perfumed. Full-bodied, yet reserved and tight with very silky tannins that are energized and minerally. Takes off at the end. The freshness lifts it. Try after 2024.

97 POINTS

Elin McCoy - Decanter

Deep, polished and savoury, this sumptuous, floral-and-red fruit-scented vintage throbs with pure fruit succulence, energy and lift. A superstar.