Chateau Canon Chaigneau Lalande-de-Pomerol 2008

"The plateau of Néac is essentially a continuation of that of Pomerol itself, and the majority of the best crus of Lalande are found in this corner of the appellation" , Decanter Magazine

Covering two distinct terroirs: Lalande de Pomerol and Néac. Château Canon Chaigneau is located in Néac, the much more reputable higher plateau of the appellation.

Lalande de Pomerol is recognised by serious wine lovers for offering top quality and good value.

Like Pomerol, a tiny appellation covering just 1100 hectares, with an annual average total production of just 525 000 cases.

At Canon Chaigneau, it posses the terroir of clay, limestone & iron deposits, very similar to that of the best part of the Pomerol appellation, and nearby Château Petrus, (just 1,2 km away to the south west), adding genuine complexity and making for excellent, refined & age worthy wines. 

Indeed, the Romans recognised the greatness of our terroir, and winemaking began here almost 2000 years ago.

The winemaker Thierry Garnaud, was winemaker of neighbouring Château Cheval Blanc for 38 years. He knows this terroir perfectly and knows not only how to sublimate its exceptional qualities, but also how to express its unique identity.

Thierry was maître de chai at Cheval Blanc from 1988 – 2018, responsible for such 100 point legends as the 1990, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2015, 2016. His savoir-faire and talent is undisputed, the accolades for these wines are too numerous to list.

His ambition is to produce a wine that is both authentic and of remarkable quality and make Canon Chaigneau a wine of reference and a leader in an appellation.

True to his values and past, Thierry makes suave, fine, rich wines that are balanced, with beautiful aromatic complexity, typically with notes of truffle, spices, cocoa and black fruits. 

Winemaker of Cheval Blanc, Thierry Garnaud, has been in charge of the chateau since 1995, & will continue to make the wine for some years to come.

Making the wine with the same passion & alchemy that he had at Cheval Blanc, the wines share the same ‘iron fist in velvet glove’ structure & sensuality that persuades collectors to pay up to 2000 euro per bottle for even fairly recent vintages of Cheval Blanc. 

The wine is produced according to 'La lutte raisonnée' (literally 'the reasoned struggle'.) - using less chemicals than conventional growers and is noted for its elegance, finesse and delicacy due to a moderate extraction and a maturing process that respects the identity and inherent opulence of each vintage.

The winery is also certified HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) level 3.

Renowned critic Professor Colin Hay (The Drinks Business, Decanter) stated of the 2011 “Tasted blind one would not pick the vintage and might well imagine oneself the other side of the appellation boundary –in Pomerol itself.”

Complicated start to ’08, with rains & mildew but then a flourish of warmth and sun later on saved the day, making it a top vintage on the right bank. Thierry, his 15th vintage in charge & his 27th at Cheval Blanc, crafted a stunner. Very limited stocks.

‘...one of my favorite, more mature vintages from this Lalande-de-Pomerol estate.. enticing bouquet of red and black fruit, iodine, meat juices and rosemary; it is very Pomerol-like, with black truffle emerging with time. … the wine soon mellows and develops what, for a 2008, is quite a plush and cohesive finish. Excellent and perfect to drink now. 2020-2025.’ Neal Martin, 91.

‘Limpid in the glass… cedar.. cinnamon and Chinese five spice. Interestingly complex and still tasting very young, especially for the vintage. Nice ripe tannins and a typically ferrous finish. In short, lovely terroir characteristics and its proximity to Pomerol is palpable on the palate. A very accomplished wine for the vintage – accessible already but still surprisingly youthful.’ Colin Hay

Awards:

91 Vinous

Bronze Medal Concours de Bordeaux

Bronze Medal Challenge International Blaye/Bourg

VIVINO 4.2