2009 Chateau Canon Saint-Emilion Grand Cru [JD99][WA97][WE95][JS95][WS93][D93] WINE

“The 2009 Chateau Canon is brilliant in every regard and certainly one of the finest wines from this estate I’ve ever tasted. Based on 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet from a Grand Cru terroir located on the upper, limestone-driven plateau outside of the village of Saint-Emilion, it’s still youthfully ruby-colored and boasts a beautiful perfume of blackberries, black raspberries, white flowers, chalky minerality, truffle, and dried flowers. Firing on all cylinders, with incredible complexity and sweetness in its aromatics, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a multi-dimensional texture, building tannins, and a finish that won’t quit.” 

“Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2009 Canon is a little reticent to begin, opening out to notions of rare beef, cast iron pan, cigar boxes and cloves with a core of baked plums and mulberries plus a waft of dried lavender. Full, richly fruited and sill quite youthful, the palate has a firm yet velvety texture and seamless freshness supporting the generous fruit, finishing long and mineral laced.” 

“Hugely dense, foursquare wine with great fruit and the purest tannins. Chocolate and coffee predominate at the same time as sweet tannins and acidity. A wine that combines charm with power.” 

“A fleshy and generous St.-Emilion with a great interplay of fresh and super-ripe plum aromas. Behind this is quite a major tannin structure and plenty of chalky minerality that carries the bold finish beautifully. Drink or hold.” 

“This is a creamy, lush hedonist’s wine, with suave, textured layers of fig sauce, pureed plum and cassis woven with hints of mocha and pain d’épices. Picks up grip though, joined by a roasted mesquite hint on the finish for added length.” 

“The director of Canon in 2009 was John Kolasa, a less deft touch perhaps than Nicolas Audebert today, but still making some great wines. This has ripe fruits and a generous attack. It’s still very young but there are hints of a wine that’s starting to evolve, with moments of tobacco and leather. The mouthwatering juiciness through the back half of the palate is really appetising, and although it’s less precise than a Canon of today, you can certainly see all the building blocks here. It has a slightly savoury quality to the fruit, not displaying the excess of some St-Emilions in this vintage. A good quality wine, this is entering its drinking window but has plenty of time left.”