Canon St-Emilion 2001

95 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "This famous St-Émilion is a 1er Grand Cru Classé (B) property, planted with 30% Cabernet Franc and 70% Merlot, is owned by Chanel who also owns Château Rauzan-Ségla in Margaux. A classic Canon vintage, meaning one without excess, where the precision of the winemaking is able to shine. 2001 was the last year before the introduction of manual sorting (although there was always manual harvesting) but it doesn't seem to have done any harm. This is rich yet nuanced, with a seam of fresh minerality running alongside the merlot and cabernet franc fruit; cassis and redcurrant but just starting to head towards tertiary truffle-and-liquorice flavours in the best possible way. A wine that keeps an elegant distance, encourages you to take your time. Drinking Window: 2015-2030."

94 points Wine Spectator: "Shows a stronger singed alder note, with more aromatic details of black tea and mulled spice, giving way to a maturing core of macerated blackberry and raspberry fruit. Delivers woodsy hints through the finish, presenting excellent length and a buried chalky accent.—Non-blind Canon vertical (December 2016). Drink now through 2026. (2017)"

View From the Cellar): "The 2001 Canon is an outstanding example of this fine vintage, though the wine is still several years away from truly starting to blossom and drink with real generosity. The fairly primary nose shows very good promise in its blend of red and black cherries, menthol, woodsmoke, a beautiful base of limestone soil and just a touch of new oak around the edges. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, focused and tightly-knit, with a sappy core of fruit, ripe, firm tannins and a long, tangy and youthful finish. This wine is still slumbering away in hibernation and needs a few more years before it will start to stir. 2021-2060. (May/Jun 2016)"