Nestled in the heart of the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, Château Canon embodies the perfect alliance between age-old tradition and contemporary vision. Since the 18th century, this Premier Grand Cru Classé B has traced the contours of winemaking excellence that transcends time. Within its history-laden walls and vineyards caressed by Atlantic breezes, a wine of rare precision is shaped — a true ambassador of an exceptional terroir that the current owners, the house of Chanel, have elevated with uncompromising standards.
The legacy of a privateer turned winemaker
The story of Château Canon begins in 1760, when Jacques Kanon, a Bordeaux-born sailor and privateer, acquired several plots of land and united them into a single estate. This colourful character, enriched through maritime ventures and sugar and tobacco plantations in the French Caribbean colonies, became a bourgeois of Bordeaux in 1765. Two years later, he built the current château, leaving a lasting imprint on the landscape of Saint-Émilion.
Over the centuries, the estate changed hands several times, with each owner contributing to its growing reputation. However, it was at the end of the 20th century that Château Canon underwent its most significant transformation. In 1996, the house of Chanel, driven by the Wertheimer brothers, acquired this Saint-Émilion gem, marking the beginning of a spectacular renaissance.
The acquisition of the neighbouring estate Château Matras allowed for a considerable expansion of the vineyard area, growing from 18 hectares in 1989 to 34 hectares today. This strategic expansion gave Château Canon a new dimension, while preserving the integrity of its exceptional terroir on the Saint-Émilion limestone plateau.
The visionaries of Canon's revival
Château Canon's modern trajectory is inseparable from the remarkable individuals who orchestrated its rebirth. John Kolasa, former director of Château Latour, laid the foundations for this transformation by initiating the acquisition of new plots and redefining the wine’s identity.
Since 2014, the estate has been under the leadership of Nicolas Audebert. A graduate of the École Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Montpellier, he brings an innovative vision, shaped by international experience — notably in Argentina with Terrazas de los Andes and Cheval des Andes. Under his guidance, Château Canon continues its pursuit of excellence with an ever more precise understanding of its terroir.
The technical team also draws on the expertise of external consultant Thomas Duclos, whose oenological sensitivity helps refine the wine's style. Together, they share a philosophy centred on the pure expression of the limestone terroir, favouring finesse and elegance over sheer power.
This collective vision aligns perfectly with the approach of the current owners, the Wertheimer brothers of the house of Chanel, who have instilled in Château Canon the values of excellence and refinement that define their luxury group, while deeply respecting the estate’s historical identity.
The limestone plateau, a mineral cradle for great wines
Château Canon’s geographical location is one of its greatest assets. Perched atop the Saint-Émilion limestone plateau, the vineyard offers stunning views of the region's two iconic bell towers: Saint-Martin-de-Mazerat and the collegiate church of Saint-Émilion.
This limestone plateau, a true geological signature of the appellation, makes up 90% of Canon’s vineyard, complemented by 10% slopes. The Astéries limestone, formed millions of years ago through the accumulation of marine fossils, imparts the wines with their distinctive minerality and characteristic tension.
What makes this terroir unique is its natural ability to regulate the vine’s water supply. During dry periods, the limestone slowly releases water stored in its pores; during wet periods, it efficiently drains excess water. This natural regulation results in grapes of exceptional quality, with even ripeness and ideal concentration.
The vineyard is planted with 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, at a high planting density of 5,600 vines per hectare. This configuration, typical of the finest Saint-Émilion terroirs, allows the full expression of the richness and complexity of the limestone soil.
One unusual feature deserves mention: Château Canon owns a unique 0.15-hectare parcel located in the very heart of the medieval town, near the Couvent des Cordeliers on Rue de la Porte Brunet. Planted exclusively with Merlot and cultivated using horses, this urban vineyard attests to the estate’s historical roots within Saint-Émilion itself.
The art of winemaking: precision and respect for the fruit
Château Canon’s pursuit of excellence is evident at every stage of the winemaking process. Harvesting is carried out at perfect maturity, followed by a rigorous sorting process to select only the highest-quality berries.
Vinification takes place in stainless steel vats — a material chosen for its neutrality, which preserves the purity of the fruit and the expression of the terroir. This crucial step is executed with surgical precision, tailored to each plot to reveal its specific nuances.
Ageing, which lasts 18 months, occurs in the impressive underground cellars that stretch across 20 hectares beneath the estate. The barrels, 70% of which are renewed each year, bring elegant tannic structure without ever overshadowing the wine’s identity.
The creation of the second wine, Croix Canon, marked an important milestone in the estate's quality strategy. To ensure optimal production conditions, a dedicated winery was built, allowing the main facilities to be fully devoted to the Grand Vin. This clear separation between the two cuvées guarantees a bespoke approach to each wine.
Château Canon's technical team stands out for its meticulous vineyard work, with an advanced plot-by-plot approach that helps understand and enhance each nuance of the terroir. This intimate knowledge of the vineyard translates into wines of remarkable precision, faithfully expressing the characteristic minerality of the limestone plateau.
The Canon spirit: between tradition and innovation
The identity of Château Canon is based on a subtle balance between respect for tradition and openness to innovation. Under the guidance of the house of Chanel, the estate embraces a philosophy of discreet excellence rather than ostentation.
This vision is reflected in a deep commitment to preserving the terroir and a relentless pursuit of quality. The dry stone walls that mark the vineyard boundaries on the plateau bear witness to this attachment to Saint-Émilion's viticultural heritage.
The château’s architecture, tastefully restored by Peter Marino (also responsible for the renovation of Château Rauzan-Ségla in Margaux), perfectly illustrates this union of tradition and modernity. The same architect, who has worked with personalities such as Giorgio Armani and Andy Warhol, succeeded in preserving the spirit of the 18th-century building while adapting it to contemporary standards.
Wine tourism plays an important role in Château Canon’s strategy, with carefully curated tours offering enthusiasts a chance to discover the estate’s history, its exceptional terroir, and the philosophy behind its wines.
The signature taste: minerality and refinement
The wines of Château Canon stand out with a distinctive organoleptic signature. The Grand Vin, primarily composed of Merlot complemented by Cabernet Franc, embodies the grace and power the Saint-Émilion limestone plateau can offer.
On the palate, Château Canon captivates with a deep colour and violet highlights in its youth, evolving towards garnet hues with age. The nose, of great complexity, reveals juicy blue fruit aromas — notably blueberry — accompanied by notes of fresh mint and distinctive limestone minerality.
The attack is precise, followed by an elegant evolution on the palate. The tannic structure is perfectly integrated, providing a solid framework without any rusticity. The finish, marked by characteristic mineral grip, stretches with persistence, leaving an impression of freshness and depth.
Croix Canon, the second wine, offers a more accessible interpretation of this exceptional terroir. Made mainly from younger vines on a separate plot, it presents a fruity, indulgent profile, while retaining the house's signature elegance.
Château Canon wines are distinguished by their remarkable ageing potential. The Grand Vin can flourish over several decades, developing complex aromas of candied fruit, underbrush, truffle, and sweet spices.
For optimal tasting, Château Canon should be served between 16°C and 18°C, with at least an hour of aeration for younger vintages. Ideal food pairings include delicately prepared red meats, game birds, or well-aged hard cheeses.
A well-deserved international reputation
Château Canon’s qualitative renaissance over the past two decades has gone hand in hand with growing international recognition. The meticulous work carried out in the vineyards and cellars has established the estate as one of Saint-Émilion’s leading references.
This spectacular transformation, the result of significant investment and long-term vision, has positioned Château Canon at the forefront of Bordeaux’s terroir-focused revival. The estate perfectly embodies this new approach, which favours sense of place over brute strength.
Eternity carved in limestone
Château Canon represents the very essence of what Saint-Émilion has to offer at its most refined. Its fascinating history, exceptional terroir, and the talents of the men and women who bring it to life converge to create wines of rare elegance, capable of ageing gracefully over the decades.
The house of Chanel, through its substantial investment in this Bordeaux gem, has unlocked its full potential without ever distorting its soul. Today, Château Canon epitomises the perfect alliance between centuries-old tradition and contemporary vision — between restrained power and absolute refinement — that defines the greatness of Saint-Émilion’s finest wines.
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