This is so elegant and sophisticated already, with a really electric presence and length that goes on and on. It's medium- to full-bodied with an intensity of tannins. It remains weightless and energetic. The pH is 3.41, making this a vivid and lively wine. Currant, orange and stone. Sea salt, too. The limestone soils created a unique wine here in 2023. A blend of 71% merlot and 29% cabernet franc.

The 2023 Canon has turned out brilliantly, unfurling aromas of cassis, mulberries, rose petals, raspberries and violets. Medium- to full-bodied, it is layered and finely textured, built around a seamless, deep core of fruit framed by powdery, velvety tannins and concludes with a long, chalk-inflected, crystalline finish. Highly expressive of its terroir through its powdery tannins and limestone-driven finish, it is also very much of its vintage, combining vibrant acidity with an unusually approachable profile. This is a blend of 71% Merlot and 29% Cabernet Franc, all matured in 50% new oak.
  

Rich, opulent, heady, and hedonistically-styled wine, the nose kicks off with its showy display of black cherries, black raspberries, violets, roses, lilacs, licorice, mint, tobacco, and an array of spices. The palate is geared for pleasure, with multiple layers of richly textured, flamboyant dark, mildly-smoked red fruits, paired with the essence of minerality and a touch of forest greenery. This is the perfect backdrop for the wine's layers of salt-tinged fruits that linger, build, and expand, allowing you to experience a wine with a beautiful sense of purity and no hard edges. The wine blends 71% Merlot with 29% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2029- 2060.

Wafting from the glass with aromas of mulberries and raspberries mingled with spices rose petals licorice and violets the 2023 Canon is another brilliant wine from a property whose excellence can almost be taken for granted. Medium to full-bodied deep and layered it's seamless and concentrated its vibrant core of fruit framed by sweet powdery tannins and girdled by lively acids concluding with a long mineral finish.

The 2023 Canon was picked from around 6 September to 6 October at 45hL/ha and matured in 50% new oak. It has a perfumed bouquet with pure black cherries and touches of cassis and violet. The oak is beautifully integrated. Perhaps if I have to quibble it is not quite as complex as the very best recent vintages but that's a high bar nowadays. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black cherry fruit laced with iodine and veins of blue fruit. There is a sorbet-like freshness embroidered throughout this Canon and it delivers a lovely cracked black pepper note on the finish. Excellent. Again.

A wine of classicism and reserve the 2023 Canon is less overtly expressive than most recent vintages keeping much of its personality in reserve. Nevertheless I watched it grow considerably over the two weeks I spent in Bordeaux. Bright red-toned fruit blood orange mint and spice are some of the many notes that open in the glass. It is a wine that marries generous fruit with classical rigor. I won't be surprised if it shows even better with time. Tasted four times. 2033-2063