Wines Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Château Canon - 1970

Viniou Reviews

Château Canon 1970 is a remarkable Saint-Émilion Grand Cru from the prestigious Right Bank of Bordeaux. This wine is a classic blend dominated by Merlot, supported by Cabernet Franc and occasionally traces of Cabernet Sauvignon, reflecting the typical varietal composition of the appellation and vintage tradition. The 1970 vintage was a strong year in Bordeaux, yielding wines with excellent structure and potential for longevity. With over five decades in bottle, Château Canon 1970 will have developed a remarkable bouquet, displaying tertiary notes of dried fruits, tobacco, leather, truffle, and forest floor, while still retaining vestiges of blackcurrant and plum. The palate is likely to be velvety, with mellow tannins and a lingering, elegant finish, a signature of the limestone-rich terroir that gives Canon its renowned finesse and aromatic complexity.

Saint-Émilion itself is one of Bordeaux's most historic and picturesque regions, nestled along the Dordogne River. The area is distinguished by its undulating landscape and unique composition of clay and limestone soils—especially at Château Canon's prime location on the limestone plateau. This terroir endows the wines with marked minerality, freshness, and a capacity for graceful ageing. The Saint-Émilion wine tradition stretches back to Roman times, yielding a wealth of skilled craftsmanship and a rich viticultural tapestry. The relatively mild, maritime climate with moderate rainfall is ideal for the slow ripening of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, ensuring concentrated, expressive wines.

For food pairings, a mature Saint-Émilion Grand Cru like this is best complemented by refined, subtly flavoured dishes that will not overpower its delicate bouquet. Consider traditional Bordelais cuisine such as entrecôte à la bordelaise (steak with red wine sauce and shallots), roast lamb, or game birds like pheasant. Mushroom-based dishes, especially those with truffle accents, will echo the wine’s earthy tertiary notes. A fine cheese selection including Comté, aged Gouda or Saint-Nectaire will also offer an excellent match.

Serve this wine at 17–18°C after decanting for 30 to 60 minutes to help release its complex aromas. Due to its age, handle the bottle gently to avoid disturbing sediment and savour its evolving sensory profile over the course of the meal. This is a contemplative, beautifully matured wine to be enjoyed in good company and on special occasions.