Château Canon 1996

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château Canon 1996

Tasting

Ample, dense and enveloping, the palate of this Château Canon 1996 reveals all the richness of this vintage.

A great Saint-Émilion, ample, dense and enveloping

The property

Nestled on the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, Château Canon has been writing its history since 1760, when the privateer Jacques Kanon became its owner. Acquired by Maison Chanel in 1996, the estate has since undergone extensive restructuring, both of the vineyard and the infrastructure. Classified as a Premier Grand Cru of Saint-Émilion, it has been managed since 2015 by Nicolas Audebert, who is also in charge of Rauzan-Ségla for the Chanel group. Château Canon today embodies one of the major references of its appellation, praised for the finesse and elegance of its wines.

The vineyard

Spread over 32 hectares, 20 of which are in one piece, the vineyard of Château Canon occupies a privileged position on the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, facing south/southwest. Located at an altitude of 87 meters, it benefits from excellent natural ventilation, while the ancient walls that border its plots offer valuable protection against spring frosts.

The vintage

The winter of 1996 was generally mild, with the exception of February and early March which saw cooler temperatures. Spring was particularly beautiful in June, followed by a rather rainy period. Flowering took place early in June, benefiting from very good weather. The summer was irregular, with a drop in temperatures and rainfall in August.

Vinification and aging

The harvest of Château Canon 1996 was carried out entirely by hand between September 24 and October 4 for the merlot, and September 30 for the cabernet franc and sauvignon. A double selection was made, first at the cut and then on the sorting table. Alcoholic fermentation took place for 6 to 8 days at 30°C in thermoregulated oak vats, followed by a maceration of 19 to 24 days at temperatures between 29°C and 32°C. Malolactic fermentation took place in underground stainless steel vats and barrels. The aging lasted 18 to 20 months in barrels, 60% of which were new, with quarterly rackings. The wine was fined six months before bottling, without filtration.

Grapes

Merlot and cabernet franc, according to the traditional grape variety of Saint-Émilion.