Canon 2013

Only 56% of the production made it into the 2013 Canon, which is a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc. It exhibits a dark ruby hue along with crunchy, chalky minerality, berry and cherry fruit, medium body and a very charming but superficial style, no doubt due to the vintage conditions. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.

The 2013 Canon has a light, crisp cedar and graphite tinged nose, perhaps Left Bank in style, muted at first but gently unfolding. It never lets go completely and you end up trying to eke out more by swirling your glass (to no avail!). The palate is well balanced with fleshy ripe fruit on the entry, structured but clipped and short on the finish, as if to say, "that's enough." It is a well made Canon, even if former winemaker John Kolasa oversaw many greater vintages of Château Canon during his tenure.

Extremely perfumed with cocoa powder, nuts and hints of cherries. Medium body, lovely density of fruit and a soft and silky finish. Savory. Delicious now.

The 2013 is the first vintage in a long time with a high percentage of Cabernet Franc: a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc. The vines were de-leafed on one side in July and the second side in September to achieve ripeness. It was picked from 1 October until 10 October and sees 70% new oak. There is a subtle marine influence on the nose with touches of marmalade and seaweed infusing the red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. This feels plush in the mouth with an attractive spicy, confit finish. This is a finely tuned, elegant Canon in the making. Nothing new there.