Wines Saint-Émilion Château Canon - 2020

Château Canon 2020 is a superb expression of Saint-Émilion's esteemed terroir, positioned on Bordeaux's right bank. This red blend, typical of the appellation, is predominantly crafted from Merlot, complemented by a proportion of Cabernet Franc. The 2020 vintage benefitted from a warm, sunny growing season with occasional rainfall, producing deeply concentrated, balanced wines with refined tannins and remarkable ageing potential. The vineyard’s terroir, featuring a blend of limestone and clay soils on the plateau, imparts both structure and elegance, while careful vinification—emphasising gentle extraction and ageing in French oak—preserves the purity of fruit and the wine’s silken texture.

Saint-Émilion itself is steeped in viticultural history, recognised for its UNESCO-listed medieval town and long-standing tradition of fine winemaking. The appellation’s microclimate, influenced by the Dordogne river and protective woodland, allows for slow, even grape ripening, fostering complexity and aromatic depth in the wines. The limestone flats provide ideal drainage and impart a mineral backbone, whereas the clay contributes body and richness, beautifully illustrated in Château Canon’s signature style.

When considering food pairings, the graceful structure and layered fruit profile of Château Canon 2020 pair well with classic Bordelais fare such as entrecôte à la bordelaise, duck breast with shallots, or rich mushroom dishes like a truffle risotto. Game birds such as pheasant or guinea fowl roasted with herbs can also complement the wine's complexity and aromatic finesse. For a taste of the region, a traditional cannelé for dessert offers a delightful contrast to the wine’s tannic frame, should you wish to experiment.

To enjoy this wine at its best, serve at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Decanting for an hour will help open up the aromatic bouquet and soften the tannins, revealing the wine’s polished structure and lingering finish. This vintage also promises exceptional cellar potential, developing further nuance and harmony with a few years’ ageing.