Canon vs. Duffau-Lagarrosse 2009-2020 tasted blind (Fribourg): Dark garnet. Deep, dark ripe fruit, very dark, very ripe but no hits of overripeness but way too massive for my taste. They have not overdone this as mauch as the Duffau but could not escape the vintage either. Too much of a fruit bomb for my liking.
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Vertical of Canon vs Beasejour Duffau Lagarrosse (Fribourg): Vertical of Beausejour Duffau Lagarrosse vs Canon vs selected pirates 2005-2020. Main takeaways : i/ Canon trumps Beausejour overall, especially in more recent ones. ii/ Canon tends to be lighter-footed, more delicate while Beausejour is typically more extracted and ripe. iii/ St Emillion clearly struggles with the hotter vintages a few years on with 2005 the low-light, already exhibiting beef juice elements. iv/ best wines were Canon 2015 (95), 2019 and 2020 (94 each). Summary of wines and scores included in the tasting story.
Tasting note: Sweet red cherry fruit along with sugar coated berries and a fine mineral layer. Palate with a soft texture, but lower aromatic intensity and lack of presence with a short to medium finish. The 2018 Canon is a weird animal and I struggle to wrap my head around it. It was highly promising from barrel, overripe and disjointed freshly bottled, then beautiful and seductive 5 years on and now rather mediocre.
There is a polish here that immediately adds to the textural profile of this Canon. Somewhat plush, but not so much that it makes for too fruity or flabby of a delivery, the 2018 is similar stylistically to other St. Emilion siblings in this vintage. Approachable and fun, albeit still primary and direct, the core berry fruit sways into the modern field but makes sure to keep a solid foot in some older school attributes. I could have done with a hair more intensity and tannic structure, but its cut and acidic spine are enough to counter the ripe and contoured fruit. 4-5 years on its side will do it well.
I wouldn't call this a blockbuster Canon, but it's certainly a solid performer at a price point that isn't instantly nauseating. I think the 2016 has a little more going for it, but will take a smidge longer to come around. The 2018 seems (emphasis on 'seems') like it won't shut down too hard at any given moment, but a few years in the cellar will give a clearer picture down the road. For now, it's not a complete waste of time to drink now, but some short term patience will be rewarded. 93-94+ points.
40th anniversary tasting (L'Esprit du Vin - Axelborg): My notes from this fantastic gigantic tasting are in general extremely short (because of the many wines) but with ratings. We spent a whole day tasting and tasting quality wines.
This wine: Rating based on performance right now when it is way too young.
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My colleagues and I organized a mini Canon vertical to redefine the scores in relation to the fabulous 2022 vintage. We cannot put 100 points everywhere. 2021 not tasted. Naturally these notes correspond to an "M" moment and are likely to vary at another moment
Bordeaux 2018 - 5 Years On - 7 Reds: Time to check in on some top 2018s, and the initial observations were all confirmed: A) This is obviously the ripest, sweetest Bordeaux vintage in the last decade. While only one wine (Cos d'Estournel, 88pts) was overripe and overdone, two others (Calon Segur - 94pts, Grand Puy Lacoste - 91pts) are not for purists and are quite sweet - at least this young. B) Despite the ripeness, the wines are generally very balanced and harmonious, not as extracted or thick as many 2009/2010s. C) The structural frames are of high quality with ultra-fine tannins and good acid backbones. However, with so many other great vintages produced in recent years, this is not the vintage to chase - especially for purists. The group winner was the highly elegant, seductive yet aristocratic Pichon Lalande (rated 95pts), just ahead of my WOTN, the floral, perfumed, airy Canon (96pts).
TN: Expressive, elegant bouquet with fine rhubarb and strawberry notes and floral aromas at the core. While the nose is good, it’s the palate that truly excites: Pure, sweet red berries en masse, rhubarb and loads of floral notes and then two more telltale highlights, the wonderful salty minerality and the almost unmatched airiness and satin-like texture. Canon just kills it in the past few years and while I’m a left bank guy, this is one of my favorite wines in all of Bordeaux. This 2018 is for sure a touch riper and sweeter than 15/16/19/20, but still so elegant and fine. 96+pts.
Decanting: Quickly double decanted two hours before consumption, no extensive decanting necessary.
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Part of a small Bordeaux 2018 5-years on tasting. The wines were partially served single-blind. Main observations: 1/ the vintage pairs concentration and ripeness with weightless and elegant structures. 2/ tannins are generally finely grained and well-integrated. 3/ Extraction levels managed well with only 1 instance of heat and no overripe fruit. 4/ Best bottles were Canon and Pichon Longueville.
Tasting note: This was pure, perfumed floral sexiness in a bottle. Red cherry and raspberry fruit, saline minerality and sweet spices on top. A truly satin texture with caressing tannin, great balance and a finish that adds an intriguing graphite touch. The level of detail in the layers and weightlessness were off the charts.
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Polished nose of mulberry, cassis, kirsch, milk chocolate and roast espresso, with hints of woodsmoke and cedar. Glossy and delicious palate with excellent freshness, quite impressive for 2018, with a plush, creamy core of ripe fruit, smooth tannins and gourmand notes of chocolate and espresso again emerging on the lingering finish. This comes across as sophisticated, fresh and engineered. 95+
this time much better: overripeness gone, lovely nose with dark blue berry skins, nice length. Hot vintage for sure and quite international too, but v good. 94+
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Nose: [58°-61°] Young and fresh plums, fresh aromatic berries, black and blue fruits. Aromas are full of fruit, making the stone, minerals and earth seem "fruit-washed." The aromatic fruits goes from fun to straight emo with tons of air, brooding dark fruits and earth.
Palate: [58°-61°] Black and blue fruits with minerals that has a touch of salinity. Pleasantly steeped and bitter tea, a dark and brooding powdered graphite. Fruits stay fresh and buoyant which help lifts everything else up as well. After getting plenty of air, things develop more into the realm of the darker notes. Finishes with a trail of minerals, steeped tea and even a bit of tar.
Attributes: Clear, dark ruby. Dry with medium to medium-plus amounts of fine, chewy tannin. Medium body with medium to medium-plus acidity (well integrated if on the higher end). Amazing finish of at least 30 seconds.
Thoughts: This was MUCH better than when I last had it. It was so rough last time that I completely forgot I had this before. A tasty wine with a bold darkness with great lift, providing an awesome freshness. Loving the depth of graphite and minerals with salinity. The fruits are dark and brooding as well but in a classy sense and plays with the other flavors very well. The mineral finish lasts long this which was a huge surprise to me. The wine also held strong throughout the whole tasting, the flavors didn't waver one throughout the tasting, it gained and developed more if anything. Amazing wine to drink now but will benefit with some cellar time. Very curious how this will be with a good amount of age. This should be able to earn itself another point or two in the future. 97+
Pairing: Had smoked cornish hen in the middle of this bottle and it made the fruit flavors pop a bit with cream/vanilla. It worked really well.
Serving notes: Bordeaux glass. Served one glass and emptied bottle into a decanter at cellar temp ~55° and consumed over 7 hours. Recommend serving ~58° with a decant of at least 3-6 hours at cellar temp if opening now.
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Very enjoyable, plush but not overripe, silky, but very obvious and primary, so given its potential greatness not worth opening one now unless like me you just had to know.
silky smooth, high polish, showy bouquet, fruit forward modern style. Really delicious but lacking soul at this point. One curious aside is the prominent vanilla creaminess. on day three (sitting on counter with a cork half stopped) it has blown off completely and remains quite drinkable with zero oxidation, and a bit more verve, which quite a feat. very long mouthcoating finish. Obviously, not at all ready to drink as this needs time to come together. 2024+ 92++
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Powerful ripe black fruits, incense, toasty oak, earthy, some truffle and chocolate notes too. More refined and elegant on palate, layered and focus. Already beautiful.
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Bordeaux 2018 - Langtons tasting (Virtual with samples sent): Medium bodied. Black and red fruits. Fruit meets minerality and purity. Slightly closed but firm stylish structure suggests greatness ahead. A lovely graphite coolness. “The elegant stylist”
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Inky colour. Nose still closed but hints of red berries and tobacco leaf. Taut. More graphite notes on the palate. Smooth silky tannins. Good structure. Just a bit of heat coming through at the end.
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Taste with Langton's 2018 Top Chateau of Bordeaux - virtual event. Decanted two hours prior.
Appearance: mid purple. Nose: blueberry, plum, violets, pencil lead and a hint of gravel. Palate: medium bodied, restrained finish and soft tannins. An excellent wine, though the lowest score I gave among the six tasted.
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Nose: [56°] Fresh red fruit raspberries, cherries and cranberries. Untouched, clean forest floor with tall trees in the sun and violets growing nearby. Very floral but with some time a strong scent of tree bark becomes a bit overpowering.
Palate: [58°-68°+] Deeper red fruit, heavily steeped tea and bitter tannin, black earth, bitter graphite, dark silvery minerals with some bitterness, spiced oak and a good dose of acidity.
Attributes: Clear medium garnet. Dry with medium to medium-plus amounts of fine, chewy tannin. Medium-plus body with medium to medium-plus acidity. Great finish of at least 18-20 seconds.
Thoughts: Took forever to open up even just a bit! Therefore, I'm going to assume it's gonna take 1 year for every hour I decanted for this to be in a good spot to drink. Bold tannin and quite unforgiving at the moment. I tried my best to enjoy and appreciate the flavors that this provides tonight but I could not. Despite the bold tannin, there was a touch of elegance on the palate which I presume will be amazing in the far future. The guys that tell me to cellar bdx wine for at least 10-15 years.. you win tonight.. (as a matter of fact, most nights). Unable to score tonight, tread with caution if opening early.
Serving notes: Bordeaux glass. Emptied bottle into a decanter at cellar temp ~55° for 4 hours before serving, continued to decant while consumed over an additional 8 hours (total 12.5 hrs). I do not recommend opening now, cellar for 12-15 years minimum.
Served blind. Very grapey, woody and lactic. So much so that one taster suggested a new world cab; and it's nothing to be ashamed of; but this is a large scaled wine. On the nose, you have blackberry fruit, lots of coconut (actually reminded me of Realm's "Bard") but its the plush, silky texture that gives away Merlot here, which I should have known. This wine needs a whole lot of time; like a whole lot. And its not as suave and polished some of the modern right bank wines, but rather has some wood tannins to shed and needs to relax for best enjoyment.
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Not quite as thrilling as my first bottle but still pretty awesome young Bordeaux. Needed a few hours air to pull the oak into the fruit and still showed some mild coconut notes. Kashmir back fruits that despite the scale and concentration are fresh. Fruit filled and forward at this point—almost like a barrel sample.
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As good a young bdx as I’ve ever had. Very accessible in it’s youth with a generous amount of dark plush crystalline fruit. Has considerable depth with a fresh chalky spine. Nose is expressive and quite delineated. Surpassing how fresh and light this is for such a ripe precocious wine. Doesn’t have the magic of aged bdx but really enjoyable now. Tannins come in on the back end but very fine and rather softly textured. Just a hint of vanilla on the nose, otherwise oak well integrated.
Didn't change much on night 2, though the nose was a bit more shy. Powerful dark fruit with a cashmere texture and fine tannins on the back end. This wine seems to be all about the fruit at this point. Yes, this is "glossy" and "sleek" with a modern feel--but it's not overdone at all and retains its "soul" and terroir.
Had 3 bottles in the course of abt 6 Months from 2 different sources Always borderline overripe nose, thick port like consistency. Gets better after hrs and next day but stays fat international. traces of chalk/Oyster Enough acidity but lacks the lift of the better 2015 bottles. 93(+?)
I like it....but.....99? I'm not so sure. Sampled from the pnp and consumed over 3-4 hours.....there is great quality, it's pure, clean, driven and perfectly balanced. There is a lovely floral component, matching round tannins and some great blackberry, dark cherry fruit. Lori says some anise. It deepens a bit at about 2-3 hours of air and it's wonderful.....but 99? That seems like a bit of a stretch to me, today. Not that it won't get there, eventually. I might could go 97 on the best of sips, but not 99.
Maybe I'm more prepared for it 2nd time around, not quite as electrifying at first as the 1st one a few weeks ago, but still, wow. This is a very pure, refined, sensuous and deeply beautiful gem of a wine. Ruby colored, richly flavored, lip smacking, smoky and warm all the way down, but light on its feet, all of the so gorgeous material with many stories to tell beautifully suspended in the most elegant structure and fine tannin. Truly a joy to drink, even to fall in love with.
I am finding many of the 2018's I've tried to be pretty awesome. They drink incredibly well now, exuberant, bursting both with richness and character. No reason not to drink them now they taste fantastic. Yet, the tannins are so strong yet refined you sense they will age beautifully. Compared to the recent 2016 which is a great vintage, 2018 is more hedonistic but also has the freshness and ripe purity of 2016.
Wow, this is like liquid cashmere, such soft and fine tannins, very pure plum with tremendous depth and richness but also light on its feet, just so delicious, elegant and refined. Another tremendous 2018, I really like the character of this vintage and fairly priced compared to the great years of 2009 and 2010. Note: decanted 3 hours before tasting.
Wow, that's what I am talking about! Flowers and crushed rocks galore, with layers of sweet, perfectly ripe, cherries and plums that offers incredible purity. Elegant, silky and sexy, with a seamless finish gracefully coating your palate with endless layers of sensuously textured ripe fruits and cashmere tannins. This is effortless to drink. This will give the triple digit 2015 a run for the money when it matures. The wine blends 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc, 14% ABV.
Small vertical of Chateau Canon 2015/2016/2018. Following a change in ownership and subsequent improvements in quality, Canon is on an upswing and that showed in this mini vertical. All wines are elegant, pure, fresh and almost weightless. While other right bank wines, especially in solar vintages like 2015 and 2018, can be too ripe, extracted or show heat, these three don't have these problems. The best wine today is 2015 (97+) thanks to the unbelievable structure and softness paired with a pure fruit expression. Sexy, yet sophisticated. Just a tad behind is 2016 (96+) which beautifully showcases what makes 2016 so great: it's much cooler and fresher, yet still ripe and has the highest complexity of all. The 2018 (at first 93, later 95) is of course very young and Napa-esque but with more air it becomes elegant and more nuanced and boasts the same fine structure and purity. In my book, Canon in this form is among the very best St. Emillions on par with Figeac (different style) but behind Cheval Blanc (complexity).
TN: At first this is a bit too much with so much ripe cherries and kirsch and other red fruit, Napa-esque with lots of baking spices. Not much else detectable. With time in the glass, the wine calms down and reveals its elegance underneath the sexy fruit which is quite ripe but still pure and fresh. Minerality and earthy notes come through. The structure is impeccable with ultra-fine tannins like in both other vintages, a high and perfectly integrated acidity. This could be a stunner once mature, this young, wild and ripe it might be a bit too much for the typical Bordeaux lover even though its wonderfully harmonious and airy and shows no heat.
Decanting: This needs a bit of air. At first it is too wild and slutty and it improved by the minute. I would double decant a few hours prior to consumption with at least one hour in the decanter.
Over two nights. Dark fruit and cherry. There are also some spice and mineral notes. You can tell there’s a lot in reserve here and this should be better in 10+ years.
I wanted to try this early as I’ve heard reports that recent vintages (i.e., 2015 forward) of Canon are not quite as classic as older vintages I like so much. This is on the ripe side, but it could just be the vintage and is not so overripe that I’m giving up hope. I am cautiously optimistic that this will settle down with age and be quite nice.
Bordeaux 2018 from bottle (Bordeaux and Strasbourg): The limestone terroir here lends much needed freshness to this blend of 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc. There is opulence too: the word “exciting” comes to mind. The irrestitable floral perfume of the nose combined with more “serious” wet stone terroir-driven appeal precedes a palate of subtle power that envelopes with ultra smooth yet never glossy tannin leading to a long, lifting finish again marked by floral aromatics. 14% alcohol and a rather low pH of 3.69 ensures balance. Aged in just over 50% new oak. I bought a case. Full notes in wine-chronicles.com
Arvi Bordeaux 2018 Arrivage (Dolder Grand, Zurich): Tasting of 2018 Bordeaux in the bottle. A mixed vintage where St. Emilion often ended up over-ripe and cooked while Pomerol seems to have fared better, as did the left bank. Wine of the tasting was Rauzan Ségla, but the Léovilles (Barton and Poyferré), Pichon Lalande and Clinet presented themselves brilliantly as well.
Tasting note: Cooked and overripe fruit. Jammy in a bad way. Plum and fig topped off with a few dried herbs. Better on the palate. Fresh with a slightly creamy texture and less extracted. Maybe this will turn around with bottle age? Probably my biggest disappointment in tasting, especially after a really strong show at the barrel tasting.
N: very fresh, fruit driven, not overly ripe - good balance of aromas. Distinct hedgerow, leafy note (is there more Cab Franc?) P: Lovely fruit definition. Ripe blackberries, damson. But alcohol is warm, just upsetting the balance. Still - plush, fruit driven, enoyable.
Tasted next to the 2009. Lovely purity of fruit on the nose - mix of red and black fruits, liquorice, floral notes, crushed stones. Very harmonious already, precise and vibrant despite great concentration and power. The tannins are very well integrated. Mineral finish - super long and lingering. This looks like another winner from Chateau Canon. 96-97+
Without a doubt the most aromatic of his sector and even beyond. Very floral, on the peony, with hints of berries. Sublime nose. Large pulp. It is a spherical and aerial wine with a touch of magic mouth. The best ever
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Bordeaux 2018 barrel tasting (Papiersaal Sihlcity, Zürich): Barrel sample tasted at a merchant event in Zurich. Out of a sample of 12 wines, my main conclusions were: 1) again a strong vintage as pundits claim with ripe fruit profiles the common theme, and 2) generally elevated alcohol levels proved less of an issue on the palate than I feared with hardly any unwanted heat on the palate. Within this small sample, my highlights were Calon Ségur (98) and Rauzan-Ségla (98) with Pichon Baron (97) not far behind.
Floral bouquet and sweet red berries. Elegant and round and sucks you right into the glass when you smell it. 94-95.
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Bordeaux 2018 I: A first look at the 2018 vintage at a merchant tasting in Zurich with 11 red wines tasted. It might be quite difficult to judge the wines (I don't have 30 years barrel tasting experience) but some relative conclusions still can be made: 1) the best wines are as soft and elegant as the best 2016s (Figeac, Conseillante, Carmes HB, Rauzan Segla); 2) The aromatic complexity and precision of some wines is very exciting (Calon Segur, Figeac, Carmes HB), 3) There are some wines which cannot mask the high(er) alcohol levels (Pavie Maquin, Calon Segur, Leoville Poyferre). Overall, I still think that 2016 will ultimately be the better vintage thanks to lower alcohol levels and a cooler, purer fruit. On the other hand, I see 2018 a tad above 2015.
TN: The most sweet red fruit dominated wine at this tasting. Lots of strawberries, some acidic raspberries, a herbal component. The structure is marked by very fine tannins and a slightly disjointed acidity (which will certainly better integrate with time). Not the most exciting wine today and paled in comparison to the best as it has not the balance (Figeac, Rauzan Segla, Conseillante) or aromatic expression and complexity (Calon Segur, Figeac, Carmes HB).
I see this wine somewhere in the 92 to 96 point range.
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With delicate, cashmere tannins, the wine is lavish, opulent, fresh and loaded with ripe black fruits, licorice, smoke, plums, minerals, flowers and cherries. The wine balances perfectly with elegance and a wealth of sensuous fruits. There is length, which is what the doctor ordered as you want to enjoy as much of this for as long as possible. The wine blends 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc, 14% alcohol. Picking took place September 7 to October 9, making 2018 the longest harvest in the history of the property. 97-99 Pts
3/26/2024 - Collector1855 wrote: 91 Points
Canon vs. Duffau-Lagarrosse 2009-2020 tasted blind (Fribourg): Dark garnet. Deep, dark ripe fruit, very dark, very ripe but no hits of overripeness but way too massive for my taste. They have not overdone this as mauch as the Duffau but could not escape the vintage either. Too much of a fruit bomb for my liking.
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3/25/2024 - sirpat00 wrote: 92 Points
Vertical of Canon vs Beasejour Duffau Lagarrosse (Fribourg): Vertical of Beausejour Duffau Lagarrosse vs Canon vs selected pirates 2005-2020. Main takeaways : i/ Canon trumps Beausejour overall, especially in more recent ones. ii/ Canon tends to be lighter-footed, more delicate while Beausejour is typically more extracted and ripe. iii/ St Emillion clearly struggles with the hotter vintages a few years on with 2005 the low-light, already exhibiting beef juice elements. iv/ best wines were Canon 2015 (95), 2019 and 2020 (94 each). Summary of wines and scores included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
Sweet red cherry fruit along with sugar coated berries and a fine mineral layer. Palate with a soft texture, but lower aromatic intensity and lack of presence with a short to medium finish. The 2018 Canon is a weird animal and I struggle to wrap my head around it. It was highly promising from barrel, overripe and disjointed freshly bottled, then beautiful and seductive 5 years on and now rather mediocre.
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1/7/2024 - csimm wrote: 94 Points
There is a polish here that immediately adds to the textural profile of this Canon. Somewhat plush, but not so much that it makes for too fruity or flabby of a delivery, the 2018 is similar stylistically to other St. Emilion siblings in this vintage. Approachable and fun, albeit still primary and direct, the core berry fruit sways into the modern field but makes sure to keep a solid foot in some older school attributes. I could have done with a hair more intensity and tannic structure, but its cut and acidic spine are enough to counter the ripe and contoured fruit. 4-5 years on its side will do it well.
I wouldn't call this a blockbuster Canon, but it's certainly a solid performer at a price point that isn't instantly nauseating. I think the 2016 has a little more going for it, but will take a smidge longer to come around. The 2018 seems (emphasis on 'seems') like it won't shut down too hard at any given moment, but a few years in the cellar will give a clearer picture down the road. For now, it's not a complete waste of time to drink now, but some short term patience will be rewarded. 93-94+ points.
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10/21/2023 - Kim Gerner wrote: 91 Points
40th anniversary tasting (L'Esprit du Vin - Axelborg): My notes from this fantastic gigantic tasting are in general extremely short (because of the many wines) but with ratings. We spent a whole day tasting and tasting quality wines.
This wine: Rating based on performance right now when it is way too young.
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9/25/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:
My colleagues and I organized a mini Canon vertical to redefine the scores in relation to the fabulous 2022 vintage. We cannot put 100 points everywhere. 2021 not tasted. Naturally these notes correspond to an "M" moment and are likely to vary at another moment
1) 2020 100/100
2) 2019 -2022 (sample) 98-99/100
4) 2018-2016-2015 97-98/100
7) 2014 94/100
8) 2017 93/100
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9/3/2023 - Cailles wrote: 96 Points
Bordeaux 2018 - 5 Years On - 7 Reds: Time to check in on some top 2018s, and the initial observations were all confirmed: A) This is obviously the ripest, sweetest Bordeaux vintage in the last decade. While only one wine (Cos d'Estournel, 88pts) was overripe and overdone, two others (Calon Segur - 94pts, Grand Puy Lacoste - 91pts) are not for purists and are quite sweet - at least this young. B) Despite the ripeness, the wines are generally very balanced and harmonious, not as extracted or thick as many 2009/2010s. C) The structural frames are of high quality with ultra-fine tannins and good acid backbones. However, with so many other great vintages produced in recent years, this is not the vintage to chase - especially for purists. The group winner was the highly elegant, seductive yet aristocratic Pichon Lalande (rated 95pts), just ahead of my WOTN, the floral, perfumed, airy Canon (96pts).
TN: Expressive, elegant bouquet with fine rhubarb and strawberry notes and floral aromas at the core. While the nose is good, it’s the palate that truly excites: Pure, sweet red berries en masse, rhubarb and loads of floral notes and then two more telltale highlights, the wonderful salty minerality and the almost unmatched airiness and satin-like texture. Canon just kills it in the past few years and while I’m a left bank guy, this is one of my favorite wines in all of Bordeaux. This 2018 is for sure a touch riper and sweeter than 15/16/19/20, but still so elegant and fine. 96+pts.
Decanting: Quickly double decanted two hours before consumption, no extensive decanting necessary.
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8/30/2023 - Philolesen Likes this wine: 94 Points
No notes taken.
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6/19/2023 - sirpat00 wrote: 97 Points
Part of a small Bordeaux 2018 5-years on tasting. The wines were partially served single-blind. Main observations: 1/ the vintage pairs concentration and ripeness with weightless and elegant structures. 2/ tannins are generally finely grained and well-integrated. 3/ Extraction levels managed well with only 1 instance of heat and no overripe fruit. 4/ Best bottles were Canon and Pichon Longueville.
Tasting note:
This was pure, perfumed floral sexiness in a bottle. Red cherry and raspberry fruit, saline minerality and sweet spices on top. A truly satin texture with caressing tannin, great balance and a finish that adds an intriguing graphite touch. The level of detail in the layers and weightlessness were off the charts.
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5/12/2023 - Sun_Ship Likes this wine: 95 Points
Polished nose of mulberry, cassis, kirsch, milk chocolate and roast espresso, with hints of woodsmoke and cedar. Glossy and delicious palate with excellent freshness, quite impressive for 2018, with a plush, creamy core of ripe fruit, smooth tannins and gourmand notes of chocolate and espresso again emerging on the lingering finish. This comes across as sophisticated, fresh and engineered. 95+
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5/12/2023 - otto60 Likes this wine: 94 Points
this time much better: overripeness gone, lovely nose with dark blue berry skins, nice length. Hot vintage for sure and quite international too, but v good. 94+
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12/26/2022 - WineBurrowingWombat Likes this wine: 97 Points
Nose: [58°-61°] Young and fresh plums, fresh aromatic berries, black and blue fruits. Aromas are full of fruit, making the stone, minerals and earth seem "fruit-washed." The aromatic fruits goes from fun to straight emo with tons of air, brooding dark fruits and earth.
Palate: [58°-61°] Black and blue fruits with minerals that has a touch of salinity. Pleasantly steeped and bitter tea, a dark and brooding powdered graphite. Fruits stay fresh and buoyant which help lifts everything else up as well. After getting plenty of air, things develop more into the realm of the darker notes. Finishes with a trail of minerals, steeped tea and even a bit of tar.
Attributes: Clear, dark ruby. Dry with medium to medium-plus amounts of fine, chewy tannin. Medium body with medium to medium-plus acidity (well integrated if on the higher end). Amazing finish of at least 30 seconds.
Thoughts: This was MUCH better than when I last had it. It was so rough last time that I completely forgot I had this before. A tasty wine with a bold darkness with great lift, providing an awesome freshness. Loving the depth of graphite and minerals with salinity. The fruits are dark and brooding as well but in a classy sense and plays with the other flavors very well. The mineral finish lasts long this which was a huge surprise to me. The wine also held strong throughout the whole tasting, the flavors didn't waver one throughout the tasting, it gained and developed more if anything. Amazing wine to drink now but will benefit with some cellar time. Very curious how this will be with a good amount of age. This should be able to earn itself another point or two in the future. 97+
Pairing: Had smoked cornish hen in the middle of this bottle and it made the fruit flavors pop a bit with cream/vanilla. It worked really well.
Serving notes: Bordeaux glass. Served one glass and emptied bottle into a decanter at cellar temp ~55° and consumed over 7 hours. Recommend serving ~58° with a decant of at least 3-6 hours at cellar temp if opening now.
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6/22/2022 - jmoon Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very enjoyable, plush but not overripe, silky, but very obvious and primary, so given its potential greatness not worth opening one now unless like me you just had to know.
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4/15/2022 - cbuhlman wrote:
silky smooth, high polish, showy bouquet, fruit forward modern style. Really delicious but lacking soul at this point. One curious aside is the prominent vanilla creaminess.
on day three (sitting on counter with a cork half stopped) it has blown off completely and remains quite drinkable with zero oxidation, and a bit more verve, which quite a feat.
very long mouthcoating finish.
Obviously, not at all ready to drink as this needs time to come together. 2024+
92++
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11/25/2021 - Orange Tsian wrote: 93 Points
花果香味很精巧，浓郁的黑色果味，仿佛凝聚成了果浆，在恰到好处的糖果感之外还有多汁的效果，红和紫的鲜花，点缀环绕穿插，像是明艳花环和香水。饱满的果篮，香料粉、小丛林、光滑的石墨，共同组成了精致的身段。入口结构较大，集中度不错，单宁很细致。浓郁多汁的果味和花香混合在一起，划出精巧的纹路，有些华丽感，但是结实度和密度相较之下略逊，让人觉得“内涵”不太够，中后段有茴香、矿物之类的味道，稍微有点急促。92-93/100
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11/25/2021 - wineappellation Likes this wine: 95 Points
Powerful ripe black fruits, incense, toasty oak, earthy, some truffle and chocolate notes too. More refined and elegant on palate, layered and focus. Already beautiful.
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11/23/2021 - nwebstar Likes this wine: 96 Points
Bordeaux 2018 - Langtons tasting (Virtual with samples sent): Medium bodied. Black and red fruits. Fruit meets minerality and purity. Slightly closed but firm stylish structure suggests greatness ahead. A lovely graphite coolness. “The elegant stylist”
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11/15/2021 - Philippe_C wrote: 93 Points
Nez de poivrons très mûrs, fumée, cacao, chocolat... Tannins mûrs, belle aciditée, cerise rouge fraîche.
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11/7/2021 - iobtoel Likes this wine: 95 Points
Inky colour. Nose still closed but hints of red berries and tobacco leaf. Taut. More graphite notes on the palate. Smooth silky tannins. Good structure. Just a bit of heat coming through at the end.
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11/4/2021 - BAJRiley Likes this wine: 94 Points
Taste with Langton's 2018 Top Chateau of Bordeaux - virtual event. Decanted two hours prior.
Appearance: mid purple. Nose: blueberry, plum, violets, pencil lead and a hint of gravel. Palate: medium bodied, restrained finish and soft tannins. An excellent wine, though the lowest score I gave among the six tasted.
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10/3/2021 - WineBurrowingWombat Likes this wine:
Nose: [56°] Fresh red fruit raspberries, cherries and cranberries. Untouched, clean forest floor with tall trees in the sun and violets growing nearby. Very floral but with some time a strong scent of tree bark becomes a bit overpowering.
Palate: [58°-68°+] Deeper red fruit, heavily steeped tea and bitter tannin, black earth, bitter graphite, dark silvery minerals with some bitterness, spiced oak and a good dose of acidity.
Attributes: Clear medium garnet. Dry with medium to medium-plus amounts of fine, chewy tannin. Medium-plus body with medium to medium-plus acidity. Great finish of at least 18-20 seconds.
Thoughts: Took forever to open up even just a bit! Therefore, I'm going to assume it's gonna take 1 year for every hour I decanted for this to be in a good spot to drink. Bold tannin and quite unforgiving at the moment. I tried my best to enjoy and appreciate the flavors that this provides tonight but I could not. Despite the bold tannin, there was a touch of elegance on the palate which I presume will be amazing in the far future. The guys that tell me to cellar bdx wine for at least 10-15 years.. you win tonight.. (as a matter of fact, most nights). Unable to score tonight, tread with caution if opening early.
Serving notes: Bordeaux glass. Emptied bottle into a decanter at cellar temp ~55° for 4 hours before serving, continued to decant while consumed over an additional 8 hours (total 12.5 hrs). I do not recommend opening now, cellar for 12-15 years minimum.
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9/13/2021 - jviz wrote: 93 Points
Served blind. Very grapey, woody and lactic. So much so that one taster suggested a new world cab; and it's nothing to be ashamed of; but this is a large scaled wine. On the nose, you have blackberry fruit, lots of coconut (actually reminded me of Realm's "Bard") but its the plush, silky texture that gives away Merlot here, which I should have known. This wine needs a whole lot of time; like a whole lot. And its not as suave and polished some of the modern right bank wines, but rather has some wood tannins to shed and needs to relax for best enjoyment.
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9/10/2021 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Not quite as thrilling as my first bottle but still pretty awesome young Bordeaux. Needed a few hours air to pull the oak into the fruit and still showed some mild coconut notes. Kashmir back fruits that despite the scale and concentration are fresh. Fruit filled and forward at this point—almost like a barrel sample.
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6/26/2021 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 95 Points
As good a young bdx as I’ve ever had. Very accessible in it’s youth with a generous amount of dark plush crystalline fruit. Has considerable depth with a fresh chalky spine. Nose is expressive and quite delineated. Surpassing how fresh and light this is for such a ripe precocious wine. Doesn’t have the magic of aged bdx but really enjoyable now. Tannins come in on the back end but very fine and rather softly textured. Just a hint of vanilla on the nose, otherwise oak well integrated.
Didn't change much on night 2, though the nose was a bit more shy. Powerful dark fruit with a cashmere texture and fine tannins on the back end. This wine seems to be all about the fruit at this point. Yes, this is "glossy" and "sleek" with a modern feel--but it's not overdone at all and retains its "soul" and terroir.
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6/21/2021 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 95 Points
Amsterdam UGCB Tasting (Amstel Boathouse, Amsterdam, NL): Generous but elegant, effortless balance and harmony, ripe but cool, everything perfectly integrated, ripe cherries, gently smoky oak, supple but energetic, long and flowing finish.
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6/21/2021 - FransS wrote: 97 Points
The 2018 UGCB tasting Amsterdam 6/21/2021 (Amsterdam, Amstel Boathouse): The colour younger than of most other '18's; cherries, soft peppers, a kind of cool/sleek taste, super elegant, concentrated as H-B and S H-L.
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5/8/2021 - otto60 wrote: 93 Points
Had 3 bottles in the course of abt 6 Months from 2 different sources
Always borderline overripe nose, thick port like consistency. Gets better after hrs and next day but stays fat international.
traces of chalk/Oyster
Enough acidity but lacks the lift of the better 2015 bottles.
93(+?)
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3/30/2021 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 96 Points
I like it....but.....99? I'm not so sure. Sampled from the pnp and consumed over 3-4 hours.....there is great quality, it's pure, clean, driven and perfectly balanced. There is a lovely floral component, matching round tannins and some great blackberry, dark cherry fruit. Lori says some anise. It deepens a bit at about 2-3 hours of air and it's wonderful.....but 99? That seems like a bit of a stretch to me, today. Not that it won't get there, eventually. I might could go 97 on the best of sips, but not 99.
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3/27/2021 - Pianojim Likes this wine: 99 Points
Maybe I'm more prepared for it 2nd time around, not quite as electrifying at first as the 1st one a few weeks ago, but still, wow. This is a very pure, refined, sensuous and deeply beautiful gem of a wine. Ruby colored, richly flavored, lip smacking, smoky and warm all the way down, but light on its feet, all of the so gorgeous material with many stories to tell beautifully suspended in the most elegant structure and fine tannin. Truly a joy to drink, even to fall in love with.
I am finding many of the 2018's I've tried to be pretty awesome. They drink incredibly well now, exuberant, bursting both with richness and character. No reason not to drink them now they taste fantastic. Yet, the tannins are so strong yet refined you sense they will age beautifully. Compared to the recent 2016 which is a great vintage, 2018 is more hedonistic but also has the freshness and ripe purity of 2016.
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3/27/2021 - Pianojim wrote: 98 Points
Wow, this is like liquid cashmere, such soft and fine tannins, very pure plum with tremendous depth and richness but also light on its feet, just so delicious, elegant and refined. Another tremendous 2018, I really like the character of this vintage and fairly priced compared to the great years of 2009 and 2010. Note: decanted 3 hours before tasting.
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3/9/2021 - Jeff Leve wrote: 99 Points
Wow, that's what I am talking about! Flowers and crushed rocks galore, with layers of sweet, perfectly ripe, cherries and plums that offers incredible purity. Elegant, silky and sexy, with a seamless finish gracefully coating your palate with endless layers of sensuously textured ripe fruits and cashmere tannins. This is effortless to drink. This will give the triple digit 2015 a run for the money when it matures. The wine blends 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc, 14% ABV.
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2/16/2021 - Cailles wrote: 95 Points
Small vertical of Chateau Canon 2015/2016/2018. Following a change in ownership and subsequent improvements in quality, Canon is on an upswing and that showed in this mini vertical. All wines are elegant, pure, fresh and almost weightless. While other right bank wines, especially in solar vintages like 2015 and 2018, can be too ripe, extracted or show heat, these three don't have these problems. The best wine today is 2015 (97+) thanks to the unbelievable structure and softness paired with a pure fruit expression. Sexy, yet sophisticated. Just a tad behind is 2016 (96+) which beautifully showcases what makes 2016 so great: it's much cooler and fresher, yet still ripe and has the highest complexity of all. The 2018 (at first 93, later 95) is of course very young and Napa-esque but with more air it becomes elegant and more nuanced and boasts the same fine structure and purity. In my book, Canon in this form is among the very best St. Emillions on par with Figeac (different style) but behind Cheval Blanc (complexity).
TN: At first this is a bit too much with so much ripe cherries and kirsch and other red fruit, Napa-esque with lots of baking spices. Not much else detectable. With time in the glass, the wine calms down and reveals its elegance underneath the sexy fruit which is quite ripe but still pure and fresh. Minerality and earthy notes come through. The structure is impeccable with ultra-fine tannins like in both other vintages, a high and perfectly integrated acidity. This could be a stunner once mature, this young, wild and ripe it might be a bit too much for the typical Bordeaux lover even though its wonderfully harmonious and airy and shows no heat.
Decanting: This needs a bit of air. At first it is too wild and slutty and it improved by the minute. I would double decant a few hours prior to consumption with at least one hour in the decanter.
Glass: Zalto Bordeaux
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2/10/2021 - B Paul wrote:
Over two nights. Dark fruit and cherry. There are also some spice and mineral notes. You can tell there’s a lot in reserve here and this should be better in 10+ years.
I wanted to try this early as I’ve heard reports that recent vintages (i.e., 2015 forward) of Canon are not quite as classic as older vintages I like so much. This is on the ripe side, but it could just be the vintage and is not so overripe that I’m giving up hope. I am cautiously optimistic that this will settle down with age and be quite nice.
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1/26/2021 - PanosKakaviatos Likes this wine: 97 Points
Bordeaux 2018 from bottle (Bordeaux and Strasbourg): The limestone terroir here lends much needed freshness to this blend of 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc. There is opulence too: the word “exciting” comes to mind. The irrestitable floral perfume of the nose combined with more “serious” wet stone terroir-driven appeal precedes a palate of subtle power that envelopes with ultra smooth yet never glossy tannin leading to a long, lifting finish again marked by floral aromatics. 14% alcohol and a rather low pH of 3.69 ensures balance. Aged in just over 50% new oak. I bought a case. Full notes in wine-chronicles.com
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11/2/2020 - sirpat00 wrote: 89 Points
Arvi Bordeaux 2018 Arrivage (Dolder Grand, Zurich): Tasting of 2018 Bordeaux in the bottle. A mixed vintage where St. Emilion often ended up over-ripe and cooked while Pomerol seems to have fared better, as did the left bank. Wine of the tasting was Rauzan Ségla, but the Léovilles (Barton and Poyferré), Pichon Lalande and Clinet presented themselves brilliantly as well.
Tasting note:
Cooked and overripe fruit. Jammy in a bad way. Plum and fig topped off with a few dried herbs. Better on the palate. Fresh with a slightly creamy texture and less extracted. Maybe this will turn around with bottle age? Probably my biggest disappointment in tasting, especially after a really strong show at the barrel tasting.
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10/13/2020 - R J Lewis wrote:
N: very fresh, fruit driven, not overly ripe - good balance of aromas. Distinct hedgerow, leafy note (is there more Cab Franc?)
P: Lovely fruit definition. Ripe blackberries, damson. But alcohol is warm, just upsetting the balance. Still - plush, fruit driven, enoyable.
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7/3/2019 - rossi.wine wrote: 97 Points
Tasted next to the 2009. Lovely purity of fruit on the nose - mix of red and black fruits, liquorice, floral notes, crushed stones. Very harmonious already, precise and vibrant despite great concentration and power. The tannins are very well integrated. Mineral finish - super long and lingering. This looks like another winner from Chateau Canon. 96-97+
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6/9/2019 - watcheslover wrote: 100 Points
Without a doubt the most aromatic of his sector and even beyond. Very floral, on the peony, with hints of berries. Sublime nose. Large pulp. It is a spherical and aerial wine with a touch of magic mouth.
The best ever
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5/9/2019 - sirpat00 wrote: 95 Points
Bordeaux 2018 barrel tasting (Papiersaal Sihlcity, Zürich): Barrel sample tasted at a merchant event in Zurich. Out of a sample of 12 wines, my main conclusions were: 1) again a strong vintage as pundits claim with ripe fruit profiles the common theme, and 2) generally elevated alcohol levels proved less of an issue on the palate than I feared with hardly any unwanted heat on the palate. Within this small sample, my highlights were Calon Ségur (98) and Rauzan-Ségla (98) with Pichon Baron (97) not far behind.
Floral bouquet and sweet red berries. Elegant and round and sucks you right into the glass when you smell it. 94-95.
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5/9/2019 - Cailles wrote: 94 Points
Bordeaux 2018 I: A first look at the 2018 vintage at a merchant tasting in Zurich with 11 red wines tasted. It might be quite difficult to judge the wines (I don't have 30 years barrel tasting experience) but some relative conclusions still can be made: 1) the best wines are as soft and elegant as the best 2016s (Figeac, Conseillante, Carmes HB, Rauzan Segla); 2) The aromatic complexity and precision of some wines is very exciting (Calon Segur, Figeac, Carmes HB), 3) There are some wines which cannot mask the high(er) alcohol levels (Pavie Maquin, Calon Segur, Leoville Poyferre). Overall, I still think that 2016 will ultimately be the better vintage thanks to lower alcohol levels and a cooler, purer fruit. On the other hand, I see 2018 a tad above 2015.
TN: The most sweet red fruit dominated wine at this tasting. Lots of strawberries, some acidic raspberries, a herbal component. The structure is marked by very fine tannins and a slightly disjointed acidity (which will certainly better integrate with time). Not the most exciting wine today and paled in comparison to the best as it has not the balance (Figeac, Rauzan Segla, Conseillante) or aromatic expression and complexity (Calon Segur, Figeac, Carmes HB).
I see this wine somewhere in the 92 to 96 point range.
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4/19/2019 - Jeff Leve wrote: 98 Points
With delicate, cashmere tannins, the wine is lavish, opulent, fresh and loaded with ripe black fruits, licorice, smoke, plums, minerals, flowers and cherries. The wine balances perfectly with elegance and a wealth of sensuous fruits. There is length, which is what the doctor ordered as you want to enjoy as much of this for as long as possible. The wine blends 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc, 14% alcohol. Picking took place September 7 to October 9, making 2018 the longest harvest in the history of the property. 97-99 Pts
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