2014 Canon

The 2014 Canon has a lovely bouquet with beautifully defined black fruit, melted tar, graphite and subtle touches of blood orange. This is very harmonious and seamless. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and a keen line of acidity. It is very harmonious, with just a slightly baked and savory finish. Maybe it lacks a bit of charm, yet it will improve. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.

Tasted blind. A bit closed on the nose. More undergrowth than fruit and a touch leafy. Light-bodied so that tannins are rather dry and the acidity gives notable freshness, but there’s nothing forced here. (JH)

An enjoyably melted tannic structure, with the white pepper and saffran lick of limestone, sappy rise on the finish, with raspberry, redcurrant, crushed roses, generous and creamy through the mid palate (although you might want to head to the 2009 at this point for an even clearer example of that, as Canon takes time to reach its peak). This has poise and delicacy, and excellent balance. 36hl/h yield, 80% new oak, 3.7ph, harvest September 29 to October 9. John Kolasa's last vintage, with current director Nicolas Audebert overseeing ageing.