2018 Château Canon Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé

2018 Château Canon Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé is a benchmark Right Bank Bordeaux that perfectly balances power, finesse and pure limestone elegance. Crafted from 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc, it’s a deeply expressive wine that already captivates in the glass yet promises decades of evolution. As one of Saint-Émilion’s most revered Premier Grand Cru Classé estates, Château Canon has long been celebrated for wines that combine concentration with an unmistakably refined, chalk-driven freshness.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Château Canon shows a deep garnet-purple hue, dense at the core with a vibrant rim that hints at its youth and energy. The nose unfurls in layers: candied violets, preserved plums and black cherry compote mingle with notes of Ceylon tea, kirsch, cinnamon, fine dark chocolate and a subtle, earthy nuance of rich, fertile loam. With air, more floral and spicy details emerge, adding complexity and intrigue. On the palate, this is medium to full-bodied, yet beautifully poised and never heavy. Juicy black fruit—plum, black cherry and blackberry—flows across the tongue, supported by ultra-fine, velvety tannins that feel almost cashmere-soft. The freshness is quietly firm, giving precision and lift to the ripe fruit and driving a long, fragrant finish filled with floral, tea-leaf and cocoa notes. Built for cellaring, this 2018 has the structure and balance to age gracefully for 15–25+ years, developing greater aromatic complexity, truffle and tobacco nuances with time.

Production
Château Canon’s 34-hectare vineyard sits in a prime position on the very top of the Saint-Émilion limestone plateau, one of the appellation’s most coveted terroirs. The pure limestone and clay-limestone soils are famed for producing wines of both concentration and elegance, with a signature mineral tension and freshness. The estate is farmed with great care, using organic treatments against disease (though not yet certified), and harvest is conducted parcel by parcel to ensure each plot is picked at optimal ripeness. In the cellar, Merlot and Cabernet Franc are vinified separately to respect the character of each grape and individual parcel, before being blended to achieve Canon’s hallmark balance of depth, perfume and refinement. Gentle extractions and thoughtful aging in French oak (a proportion new) help to polish the tannins while preserving the purity of fruit and the distinct expression of the limestone plateau.

Food & Serving
The 2018 Château Canon is a natural partner for refined dishes that echo its depth and elegance. Think roast lamb with herbs, tournedos of beef, veal tenderloin, duck breast, or game birds, as well as truffle-inflected dishes, mushroom ragouts, and aged hard cheeses like Comté or Parmesan. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to showcase its aromatic complexity and textural finesse. Younger bottles will benefit from 1–2 hours in a decanter to open up the nose and soften the structure, while mature bottles need only a gentle, shorter decant to remove any sediment.

Producer
Château Canon is one of Saint-Émilion’s historic and most prestigious properties, classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé and long regarded as a reference point for limestone-driven Bordeaux. The estate is owned by the Wertheimer family, who also own the famed fashion house Chanel and the Margaux estate Château Rauzan-Ségla, bringing both investment and vision to Canon. Under the direction of John Kolasa and the younger cellar master Stéphane Bonnasse, quality has been steadily elevated year after year, including a significant expansion in 2011 with the acquisition of neighboring Château Matras (now largely integrated into the estate’s second wine, Clos Canon). Today, Château Canon stands firmly among the elite of Saint-Émilion, admired for wines that combine density and precision with an unmistakable sense of place.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.