Château Canon, located on top of the limestone plateau in view of the village of Saint-Émilion, was originally part of the Clos St-Martin vineyard. It was purchased in 1760 by Jacques Kanon, frigate lieutenant and corsair working for King Louis XV. Officially renamed Château Canon in 1853, the estate was purchased by the Wertheimer family in 1996, owners of the famed Chanel fashion house. In 2011, Canon purchased Château Matras to add to the production of its second wine, Clos Canon. In the summer of 2013, the Canon team unveiled the meticulously restored “Chapelle de Mazerat.” On the Saint-Émilion hillside sloping gently down to the Dordogne River, a magnificent stone cross marks the entrance to this chapel, which gave rise to a new label in 2011: “Croix Canon, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru.” The 12th century church now houses the entire winemaking and production side of the second wine. Today, Château Canon is recognized as a Première Grand Cru Classé “B” of Saint Émilion and one of the great estates of Bordeaux. Canon’s wines reflect the huge rigour of the Saint-Emilion plateau. Freshness hones the huge voluptuousness. A pure, clean nectar that draws all of the minerality’s tension. A fine wine. The protruding power of the vine rooted in the rock.
The 11 hectares of vines dedicated to Croix Canon have their own history. On the western slope of the plateau to the bottom of the hillside, the vines are worked with the same standards and the same teams as at Château Canon. There proudly stands out a fleshy, dense wine, with notes of fresh, red and black fruits, and spices.
A blend of 70% Merlot and 30 Cabernet Franc with an average age of 30 years old vines. 20% new oak barrels for aging for a total time of 16 months. The nose is fresh, delicate and fruity. The palate is silky with an intense aromatic expression and firm tannin structure. A long and graceful finish displays the balance and poise which define Croix Canon.