Croix Canon

Brand Description

Château Canon, located on top of the limestone plateau in view of the village of Saint-Émilion, was originally part of the Clos St-Martin vineyard. It was purchased in 1760 by Jacques Kanon, frigate lieutenant and corsair working for King Louis XV. Officially renamed Château Canon in 1853, the estate was purchased by the Wertheimer family in 1996, owners of the famed Chanel fashion house. In 2011, Canon purchased Château Matras to add to the production of its second wine, Clos Canon. In the summer of 2013, the Canon team unveiled the meticulously restored “Chapelle de Mazerat.” On the Saint-Émilion hillside sloping gently down to the Dordogne River, a magnificent stone cross marks the entrance to this chapel, which gave rise to a new label in 2011: “Croix Canon, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru.” The 12th century church now houses the entire winemaking and production side of the second wine. Today, Château Canon is recognized as a Première Grand Cru Classé “B” of Saint Émilion and one of the great estates of Bordeaux.

Location of Vineyard

In the 1990’s an extensive project was started to replant the vineyards and modernize the winemaking facilities at Château Canon. The wine is crafted using grapes from the 27 acres (11 hectares) surrounding the chapel, as well as from the young vines on the hillside. The plots are planted with 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, and the average age of the vines is 35 years.

Winemaking and Viticulture Philosophy

Croix Canon is crafted with the same precision as the Grand Vin. In the vineyard and cellar, winegrowers and workers apply the most meticulous methods, precise plot-byplot- management, and grape selection further refined by manual sorting. The gravity-flow fermenting room makes it possible to manipulate the grapes very gently. Made from a blend, which combines a majority of Merlot with a smaller quantity of Cabernet Franc, the wine is then aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, including a small proportion of new barrels to preserve aromatic balance and freshness of the fruit.

Tanks
Cellar
Chai
Barrels
Vineyard
Château Canon
Winemaker Nicolas Audebert
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Winery Profile
Owner: Wertheimer Family
Winemaker: Nicolas Audebert
Total acreage under vine: 85
Founded: 1760
Production: 130000
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Acclaim
The 2020 Croix Canon has a classy, well-defined bouquet with mineral-driven black fruit and good concentration, but it doesn't try to impose itself too strongly. The palate is medium-bodied, fleshy and ripe with saturated tannins. It leans more toward the opulent style of Right Bank Bordeaux on the finish but just about manages to pull it off because it retains its freshness. — acclaim for 2020 Croix Canon Saint Émilion Grand Cru from Vinous, Nov 2024
“The last few vintages of this bottling have established its status as one of Bordeaux's finest second labels (though since it derives from dedicated holdings below Berliquet, it's not a "second wine" in the strict sense), and the 2021 Croix Canon confirms that trend despite the more challenging growing season. Offering up aromas of raspberries and minty blackberries mingled with rose petals and spices, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with good depth and density for the vintage, built around succulent acids and powdery tannins.” — acclaim for 2021 Croix Canon Saint Émilion Grand Cru from Wine Advocate, Feb 2024
“Plums, nutmeg, lavender and chocolate orange on the nose. Some crushed stone minerality. Medium-bodied, fine and precise with tight tannins and an elegant structure.” — acclaim for 2021 Croix Canon Saint Émilion Grand Cru from James Suckling, Jul 2024
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