Chateau Canon 'Croix Canon - Clos Canon' 2016

'Croix Canon - Clos Canon' 2016 92WA
Chateau Canon
Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux
(Right Bank)

2016 VINTAGE
Stroll through the vineyards in the heat of a summer afternoon, enjoying the refreshing breeze coming down off the St Emilion high land...this is the place to which you find yourself transported by Château Canon 2016.
 
The nose releases aromas of black cherries and ripe fruit. Then the fragrances of violets and chocolate express themselves. A few notes of fresh fig and slightly peppery spices complete the aromatic palette, which reveals excellent length and unctuosity. The fine, silky tannins create a creamy and long-lasting mouthfeel. The limestone plateau imprints it minerality and brings a liveliness on the palate along with beautiful balance.
 
AGEING:   18 months with 65 % new barrels for Château Canon & 25 % for Croix Canon
CROIX CANON BLENDING: 76 % Merlot 24 % Cabernet Franc
SURFACE UNDER PRODUCTION:  9.33 hectares dedicated to Croix Canon
SOIL:  Clay-limestone plateau
EXPOSURE OF THE VINEYARD:  South/Southwest
DENSITY OF PLANTATION:  Between 6,500 and 7,200 plants/ha
AVERAGE AGE OF THE VINES:  30 years
HARVEST: By hand and transported in small crates
SORTING: Manual selection
VINIFICATION: Separate vinification, vatting using gravity, into conical shaped stainless steel vats with a double walled system for temperature control. Malolactic: 1/3 in new barrels and 2/3 in stainless steel vats
AGEING: In French oak barrel, with a medium or medium-long toasting. Racking via the bunghole. Fining with egg whites, depending on the vintage
ALCOHOL LEVEL: 14 %

92 pts Wine Advocate 
The 2016 Croix Canon is a blend of 76% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Franc this year and matured in 25% new oak. It has a very precise bouquet with blackcurrant, touches of blueberry and subtle mineral aromas, gaining intensity as it opens in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, very tensile in the mouth with touches of graphite and tobacco, seguing into a supple and refined finish. It seems very approachable at this stage, but even as a Deuxième Vin, I can see this aging nicely over a decade, possibly more.