The 2016 Château Canon is a powerful and sophisticated wine that epitomizes the balance between opulence and freshness. A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it combines floral, fruity, and earthy elements, with impeccable structure and aging potential. Here are the expert ratings and tasting notes for this standout vintage.

The Wine Advocate | RP 98+
Published: Nov 30, 2018
Drink Date: 2022-2055

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! 

Jamessuckling.com | JS 97
Published: Dec 3, 2019

Complex aromas of blackberries, iodine, oyster shell and wet earth. Ever so perfumed. Full-bodied, yet reserved and tight with very silky tannins that are energized and minerally. Takes off at the end. The freshness lifts it. Try after 2024. 

Decanter | D 97
Published: May 27, 2024
Drink: 2024-2045

Deep, polished and savoury, this sumptuous, floral-and-red fruit-scented vintage throbs with pure fruit succulence, energy and lift. A superstar.

Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 14.00%
Body: Medium
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 26% Cabernet Franc 74% Merlot

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 18
Published: Jan 28, 2020
Drink: 2025-2045

Tasted blind. Lifted and floral. Looser than some of its peers. But with alcohol on the end. Blueberry notes. Juicy and dense with a slightly hot but saline finish. 

Chateaucanon.com

Canon’s wines reflect the huge rigour of the Saint-Emilion plateau. Freshness hones the huge voluptuousness. A pure, clean nectar that draws all of the minerality’s tension. A fine wine. The protruding power of the vine rooted in the rock.

Château Canon offers a masterful, full, direct personality. The opulence of the fruit creates tension with the mineral freshness. A game of light and shadows between the quarries and the plateau. Reflecting the vineyard’s density of sunlight.
Indomitable fullness. A favourite. Ageing potential.