Chateau Canon 2020

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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."

DECANTER: "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 lifeforce and 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."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2020 Canon is composed of 68% Merlot and 32% Cabernet Franc. Deep purple-black colored, it leaps with gregarious notions of red currant jelly, fresh, crunchy plums, and wild blueberries, leading to suggestions of cedar chest, violets, clove oil, and licorice with a waft of truffles. The full-bodied palate is chock-full of vibrant black and red berry layers, supported by super-plush tannins and fantastic tension, finishing long and energetic. Gorgeous!"

JAMES SUCKLING: "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."

WEINWISSER: "Betörendes Elixier, frisch gepflückte Waldhimbeere, Sandelholz, Lakritze, edles Veilchenparfüm und erkalteter Früchtetee. Am komplexen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, tänzerischer Rasse, berauschende Extraktfülle und ein Körper wie Michelangelo. Im konzentrierten Finale brennt der St. Émilion ein Feuerwerk ab, Alpenheidelbeere, Pfeifentabak und dunkle Schokotrüffel. Die Maximalnote ist hier in unmittelbarer Reichweite!"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "A stunning textural experience with its silky, velvet drenched profiled. Aromatically, you find flowers, black, red and blue fruits, licorice, and crushed rocks in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is all about its polished silk profile, which is the perfect backdrop for all of its layers of sensuous fruits, freshness and purity, finishing with a touch of salt on the backend. The seamless finish delivers length going on for over 50 seconds. Drink from 2025-2060."

JEB DUNNUCK: "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."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, breitere Randaufhellung. Rote Waldbeeren, ein Hauch von Lakritze, feine tabakige Nuancen, zart nach Mandarinenzesten, mineralischer Touch. Saftig, rote Kirschen, zart salzig, integrierte reife Tannine, engmaschig-zitronige Nuancen, wirkt ungemein leichtfüßig, gutes Reifepotenzial, ein finessenreicher Speisenbegleiter."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Very dark colour with purplish rim. Darker fruited and more savoury than the 2019 and here the Cab Franc shows more in a hint of lead pencil as well as underlying fragrance. Dry and yet silky on the palate, already so elegant in its tannic texture. Long, fresh finish. Clearly not ready but already delicious."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Suavely rendered, this glides along with a cashmere feel, letting gently steeped black currant and black cherry fruit unfurl slowly, while hints of alder, sweet tobacco and warm earth appear in the background. A subtle smoldering edge enhances the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2024 through 2037."