"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.
2016 was an utterly extraordinary vintage in Bordeaux and all over France, ideal growing conditions make for concentrated, tannic, balanced wines with great potential for ageing. Thierry Garnaud’s 22nd vintage at Canon Chaigneau, his 35th at Cheval Blanc.
'A grand wine from a grand vintage… very impressive and slightly imposing wine… fresh, lithe and energetic yet plump and plush. Gorgeous texture, impressive intensity and a pleasing gentle sweetness, with little hints of cinnamon and five spice in the complex mid-palate. Plums, damsons, red and black cherries and a very long finish. A great advert for its terroir. Very promising.’
Colin Hay.
‘… ample red cherry, raspberry and strawberry aromas laced with soy… a subtle truffle note emerging with time... supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, more purity.. greater depth and silkier texture. ... delicious. 2020-2030’,
Neal Martin, 90.
Awards:
90 Wine Enthusiast
Silver Medal Concours de Bordeaux.
Gold Medal Concours Feminalise.
Silver Medal Concours Elle à Table.
VIVINO 3.9
