2025 Château Canon Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé Magnum

PREMIERE - DELIVERY SPRING 2028 - 1.5 liter Magnum in OWC/1

Château Canon 2025 undoubtedly belongs to the absolute elite of Bordeaux 2025. With ratings of up to 100 points and an impressive series of top scores from Vinous, The Wine Palate, James Suckling, Falstaff, Weinwisser, and Decanter, among others, Canon once again confirms its position as one of the greatest names of Saint-Émilion. The wine combines the power and concentration of the vintage with the refinement, tension, and chalky freshness so characteristic of Canon's famous limestone plateau.

Winery Château Canon

Château Canon belongs to the absolute elite of Saint-Émilion. The estate is situated on the limestone plateau at the edge of the historic village and boasts one of the most sought-after terroirs in the appellation. The combination of limestone, clay, and a relatively cool location produces wines known for their elegance, refinement, and impressive aging potential.

Over the past ten years, Canon has developed into one of the most consistent top producers of Bordeaux. Virtually every vintage ranks among the benchmarks of Saint-Émilion, and the 2025 effortlessly continues that impressive streak.

Vintage 2025 on the limestone plateau

The growing season began with a relatively dry and mild winter, followed by a cool and wet spring. A warm period in late April ensured prosperous development of the vineyards. The summer subsequently proved very dry with intense heat, while the harvest took place under cooler conditions. This combination of ripeness and freshness forms an important part of the wine's character.

According to the château, 2025 could easily have been an exuberant and powerful vintage, but on the limestone plateau of Canon, the wine took on a very different form. The calcareous subsoil provided freshness, tension, and a saline energy that remains present throughout the entire wine. The yield was approximately 40 hectoliters per hectare, and the alcohol content came in at a balanced 14%.

Assembly and upbringing

The blend consists of 76% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Franc. The harvest took place between August 28 and September 18, with the Merlot being picked from August 28 to September 13 and the Cabernet Franc between September 13 and 18. The grapes were fermented plot by plot in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks using gravity vinification.

The aging lasts 16 to 18 months and takes place in a combination of 49% new French oak barrels and 7% foudres. This aging supports the structure of the wine without overshadowing the character of the terroir.

Color, smell and taste

The 2025 displays a deep, bright ruby red color. The nose opens with aromas of ripe cherries, raspberries, blackberries, and black cherries, combined with floral nuances of violets and dried flower petals. Additionally, notes of licorice, exotic spices, mocha, leather, and subtle spicy accents appear.

On the palate, the combination of power and refinement is immediately striking. The wine possesses impressive concentration, yet remains elegant and energetic at the same time. Ripe red and dark fruits are supported by lively acidity and extremely refined tannins. Notes of blood orange, pomegranate, limestone, spices, and a subtle salinity add extra depth to the whole.

The calcareous soil plays a leading role in the flavour profile. Freshness runs like a thread through the wine and constantly keeps the rich fruit concentration in balance. The finish is long, layered, and impressively precise, with a combination of fruit, minerality, and tension that lingers for minutes.

A wine of finesse and power

What makes Château Canon 2025 so special is the exceptional balance between elegance and intensity. Antonio Galloni speaks of a wine in which finesse and power come together in an impressive way. The wine possesses the texture and concentration of a great vintage, yet simultaneously retains the lively energy and saline tension that make Canon one of the most recognizable wines of Saint-Émilion.

The château itself describes the tannins as discreet, silky, and elegant. They provide structure without ever becoming heavy. This results in a wine with an almost regal balance, in which ripeness and freshness coexist perfectly.

Summary of professional reviews

The international wine press is exceptionally enthusiastic about this vintage. Antonio Galloni awards 98-100 points and calls the wine an absolute sensation with an impressive combination of dark fruit, spices, chalky tension, and tremendous length. William Kelley of The Wine Advocate rates the wine 96-99 points and praises the complex aromas of cherries, raspberries, flowers, and spices, combined with a long and penetrating finish.

James Suckling awards 98-99 points and emphasizes the refinement, elegance, and virtually endless length. Additionally, the wine has received, among others, 99 points from Falstaff, 98 points from Vinum, 97 points from Jane Anson, 97 points from Decanter, 20/20 from Weinwisser, and various ratings of up to 100 points from international critics. This places Château Canon 2025 undoubtedly among the absolute benchmarks of Bordeaux 2025.