Chateau Canon | FINE+RARE

About the producer

Château Canon is a Premier Grand Cru Classe “B” classified estate situated on the Saint-Émilion limestone plateau. It is regarded as one of the most elegant wines in the appellation and does particularly well in warmer vintages. It also has a positive reputation as being one of the most well priced estates in Saint-Émilion. Jacques Kanon bought the property in 1760 and expanded the vineyard and estate before selling the property to a Bordeaux wine merchant Raymond Fontemoing just ten years later.

The property remained in the family with the great-grand-daughter of Fontemoing changing the name from Kano to Château Canon in 1853. The 18th century Château has since been restored following the purchase of the property by CHANEL in 1996. CHANEL also own Château Rauzan-Segla in Margaux. Under vigneron John Kolasa the vineyards have undergone significant replanting over the last 20 years and the wines in the last 5 years have seen a huge increase in quality as these higher density plantings have been introduced to the blend. Nicolas Audebert (previously from Cheval des Andes) worked alongside John Kolasa prior to taking over control in 2015.

In the vineyard

The 34 hectare vineyard at Château Canon is planted 70% to Merlot, 30% to Cabernet Franc. The Cabernet Franc is grown on the warmer sites of the property as the varietal is later to ripen. The Cabernet Franc brings freshness, delicacy and structure to the wine. The Merlot creates smooth texture on the palate, mellow and supple and roundness in the mouth. Merlot typically brings dark summer fruit flavours and woody spicy notes with age. Saint-Émilion is located on a limestone plateau, which is a mineral paradise for vines. The limestone bedrock acts as a sponge providing the roots with water as required. Limestone rock is very porous and therefore can compensate adverse weather conditions allowing water to drain through when in excess or locking it in when dry.

In the winery

Château Canon meticulously sort the grapes as they come into the winery, lightly crushed and macerated at low temperature to protect the aromatic complexity of the grapes. During vinification tastings are regularly carried out to rack of the skins at the optimum moment. The second wine of the Château called Croix Canon is in fact a separate 11 hectare vineyard bordering the property, in the foothills of the plateau of Saint-Émilion. Both Croix Canon and the Grand Vin are produced by the same winemaking team with the same detail of care.

About the producer