Canon 2008 (750ML)

94 JD / 93 JS / 92 DE / 92 WE / 91 VM

Beautifully concentrated, rich and textured, with just a hint of maturity, the 2008 Château Canon offers classic notes of black cherry, mineral, truffle, spice, and scorched earth. Deep, rich, medium to full-bodied, and classic in style, with solid balance, it needs another 2-4 years to hit prime time but will keep for another two decades. - Jeb Dunnuck

A tight and firm Canon with blueberry, chalk and cedar aromas. Full to medium body, firm and racy. A salty undertone in the aftertaste. Better in 2019 but already fascinating. - James Suckling

Although it's not quite at the heights of Canon today, this is still clearly a gorgeous, silken-textured, focussed, well-structured wine. The limestone is apparent, but it's not quite as smooth around the edges as you find in more recent vintages, so here we have salinity with a touch of austerity to the tannins. An intake of breath on the final furlong gives way to a gorgeous breath of freshly picked mint leaf. It's beautiful but takes its time to get going. Subtly juicy, well-defined berry fruits are seasoned with a dash of white pepper. - Decanter

Solid and chunky, with firm tannins over the ripe black berry fruit. With its plentiful acidity and powerful tannins, this is going to be a long-term wine. - Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast

The 2008 Canon has a simple bouquet compared to the riveting 2015 that I tasted alongside at the property, however, you cannot begrudge this Saint Émilion that offers attractive black fruit, a pinch of pepper, iodine and spice. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, red and black fruit mixed with baking powder and a slight savoriness that comes through on the finish. Impressive length here: a fine if maybe slightly "uncouth" Canon that probably needs another year in bottle. (Tasted at the château and at BI Wine & Spirit’s annual vertical tasting.) - Neal Martin, Vinous Media