CHATEAU CANON 1er Grand Cru Classe B, Saint-Emilion 2012 Bottle

Description

Chateau Canon 1er Grand Cru Classe B Saint Emilion 2012 is a composed and noble right bank claret showing the calm power and aromatic finesse that define Canon in its gentler vintages. The colour is a deep ruby with an orange tinged rim that signals advancing maturity while the core remains vivid. The nose opens with ripe black cherry, damson and a perfumed lift of violet and rose petal, then gradually reveals tertiary layers of forest floor, leather and underbrush. With airing cedar chest, cigar box and a gentle spice of clove appear alongside a subtle graphite mineral note that speaks to the limestone influence.

On the palate the wine is medium plus in weight with a satin like texture and fine, integrated tannins that give backbone without astringency. Primary fruit of blackcurrant and plum is shaded by savoury complexity of olive tapenade, cured meat and a discreet soy reduction. Mid palate development brings notes of dried herb, tobacco leaf and a faint balsamic lift which add interest and length. Acidity remains fresh enough to give lift and clarity, steering the flavours through to a long saline edged finish where mineral and spice echoes linger.

The 2012 vintage in Bordeaux produced wines of moderate alcohol and bright acidity rather than sheer opulence; at Canon this has translated into an elegant, well proportioned wine with clear terroir expression and agreeable approachability. Careful élevage in a mixture of French oak barrels has integrated oak spice without masking the varietal purity.

This bottle is drinking well now but will continue to evolve gracefully for another decade with careful cellaring. Decanting for an hour will help open the aromatics if serving now. Drink 2026 to 2036, peaking 2028 to 2032. Serve at a cool room temperature with roast lamb, beef Wellington, braised short rib, pigeon or mushroom and truffle dishes. Mature hard cheeses also make an excellent match. This 2012 Canon is a refined, food friendly example of Saint Emilion class that balances savoury depth with elegant structure.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 94 points
Drink Date: 2020 - 2045 - Tasted from several bottles in recent months, the 2012 Canon is a stupendous wine for the vintage and if anything, it appears to be improving with each encounter. It clearly serves up more than enough volume and fruit intensity on the nose compared to the impressive 2011 Canon: it is very pure with black cherries, wild strawberry, asphalt and blood orange. This is very well defined and beautifully focused. The palate is medium-bodied, silky smooth and with that thrilling sense of frisson. There is so much vivacity wound up inside this Saint Emilion that it would not surprise me if it turns out to be one of the very best in 2012. Tasted January 2017. - Reviewed by: Neal Martin.