2021 Croix Canon

The 2021 Croix Canon continues to display a lot of Cabernet Franc on the nose, and in my book, that is no bad thing—plenty of black fruit, brown spices and a touch of mocha. The palate is medium-bodied with a sapid entry and fine depth, cohesive with a slight tightening toward the finish. Nicely structured, this is a very competent Croix Canon that should give ten years' drinking pleasure.

The 2021 Croix Canon is a standout, especially within its peer group. Croix Canon has been particularly fine for a number of years. It is all that today, too. Succulent dark cherry, red plum, mocha, spice and rose petal build effortlessly. Silky, plush tannins wrap it all together. The 2021 is beautifully done.

The last few vintages of this bottling have established its status as one of Bordeaux's finest second labels (though since it derives from dedicated holdings below Berliquet, it's not a "second wine" in the strict sense), and the 2021 Croix Canon confirms that trend despite the more challenging growing season. Offering up aromas of raspberries and minty blackberries mingled with rose petals and spices, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with good depth and density for the vintage, built around succulent acids and powdery tannins.