2016 Chateau Canon Premier Grand Cru Classe B, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1x300cl

Antonio Galloni 94

The 2016 Canon is soft, open-knit and caressing, with lovely depth to match its mid-weight personality. Sweet tobacco, mint, dried flowers and blood orange add freshness to a core of sweet red cherry fruit. A wine of subtlety and class, the 2016 has quite a bit to say, but speaks in hushed tones. The 2016 is bright and focused. It will also need a number of years to come together, as it is quite reticent today. In some tastings, Canon has been a bit austere, while in other moments it has been a bit juicier and forward. But what I have not seen in any of my three tastings so far is that extra dimension of energy that lifts the finest vintages into the realm of the truly exciting. [Antonio Galloni, 18/01/2019]

Anticipated maturity: 2026-2056

Neal Martin 96

The 2016 Canon has another quite backward nose, but there is real complexity here: mineral-laden black fruit, dried flowers, red brick and light potpourri scents. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. Smooth and fleshy, but there is backbone and depth, real substance on the finish, which is backward and feels a bit surly, but that will disappear with time. Style and panache. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting. [Neal Martin, 21/04/2026]

Anticipated maturity: 2030-2055

Wine Advocate 98+

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! [Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 30/11/2018]

Anticipated maturity: 2022-2055

JancisRobinson.com 17.5

Tasted blind. Distinctive. Rather ethereal for a right-bank wine! With a rigid framework and a savoury finish. Canon? Racy and distinctive. Very long. (JR) [12/02/2026]

Anticipated maturity: 2026-2048