2011 Château Canon

Tasted blind. Nose marred by TCA but there is real fruit density on the palate. Difficult to score… (JR)

An evident delicacy to the tannins, this is rippling with flavour and definitely moreish, but the austerity of the vintage is evident, meaning it is subtle and lightly-structured rather than generous. Plenty of sappy fruit flavours as things relax in the glass, with redcurrant, black cherries and cassis, set against crushed stones, white pepper spice, smoke, cold campfire. Harvest September 13 to 17, ph 3.49, 36hl/h yield. 70% new oak

Also brilliant, and actually not far off the 2005, the 2011 Canon is a nominal blend of mostly Merlot with 25-30% Cabernet Franc brought up in a mix of new and used French oak. Its youthful purple/plum color is followed by a sweet bouquet of red and black currants, kirsch, licorice, chalky minerality, and ample Asian inspired spices. Rich, full-bodied, and beautifully textured, it’s still youthful but drinking well, and has another two decades of prime drinking ahead of it. It’s a terrific 2011!