The 2010 Château Canon is a richly structured blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc from Saint-Émilion’s limestone plateau, combining the concentration of a celebrated Bordeaux vintage with the estate’s characteristic elegance. A Premier Grand Cru Classé, Canon occupies a privileged position close to the medieval village, where clay over limestone contributes to its distinctive freshness and mineral character. Owned by the Wertheimer family of Chanel since 1996, the estate was under John Kolasa’s management for this vintage. The 2010 offers a powerful expression of Canon, with substantial fruit and structure balanced by precision and a silky texture.
Expect black cherry, plum and mulberry, layered with mocha, liquorice, floral notes and savoury hints of bay leaf and forest floor. Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW awarded the wine 96+ Points for The Wine Advocate in March 2020, highlighting its expressive bouquet, plush texture, freshness and exceptionally persistent finish. James Suckling awarded 96 Points in February 2013, praising its layered fruit, velvety tannins and chalky character. With sixteen years since the vintage, a well-stored bottle should now be developing more complex earthy and savoury nuances, while the wine’s concentration and underlying freshness provide the foundation for continued ageing.
Ben’s Recommendation:
What makes this bottle particularly compelling is its combination of bottle development, generous fruit and remaining cellaring potential. For someone who enjoys Bordeaux with both richness and savoury complexity, the 2010 offers an attractive opportunity to explore Canon at a more developed stage. I would drink it now through approximately 2040, assuming good storage, with particularly well-preserved bottles potentially developing longer. Stand it upright beforehand to settle sediment, then taste on opening; a sound bottle may benefit from an hour or so in a decanter. Pair it with roast lamb, beef Wellington, duck or mushroom dishes. This is a strong choice for a special dinner centred on a substantial, finely textured Saint-Émilion.
