2017 Château Canon, St Emilion, Bordeaux

Showing spectacularly, the 2017 Chateau Canon checks in as a final blend of 77% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Franc from one of the most exceptional terroirs in the appellation. Hitting 14% alcohol (the pH is 3.66) reveals a ruby/purple hue and gorgeously sweet raspberries and cassis-like fruit interwoven with notes of spring flowers, rose petals, white chocolate, and spice. While it doesn’t have the massive opulence of the 2015 and 2016, it’s more classically styled and flawlessly balanced, with a terrific sense of minerality, ultra-fine tannins, and a brilliant finish. Give bottles 5-7 years in the cellar, which will evolve gracefully for 30-40 years. Hats off to Nicolas Audebert and the team of Thomas Duclos for one of the vintage wines!Drink 2025 - 2060jeb_dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com (December 2019)

Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Layered nose with high tones of red fruit, flowers and vanilla bean, darker brambles, and incense. Very youthful fruit on the palate, which is round and full, finding notes of pencil shavings together with plush red fruit. The tannins are plentiful but ripe and soft, gently integrating into the fruit.Drink 2027 - 2029tom_parker_mw, JancisRobinson.com (October 2029)

Nicolas Audebert and his team have done it again. The 2017 Canon is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. Rich and vertical in construction, the 2017 possesses off-the-charts richness and intensity in all dimensions. The 2017 is sumptuous and layered in the glass, with superb detail and tons of sheer pedigree. In 20 years, readers will have a fabulous time tasting the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 together and debating their respective merits. Dark plum fruit, striking Franc aromatics and the clean, focused energy of Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau makes for a ravishing, exquisite wine of the highest level. In a word: breathtaking.Drink 2027 - 2057antonio_galloni, Vinous.com.com (December 2019)

The deep purple-black colored 2017 Canon offers-up intense notes of crushed blackberries, black cherries and warm cassis with touches of fertile loam, yeast extract, beef drippings and iron ore plus a waft of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied with great freshness and firm, rounded tannins, it's very earthy in the mouth, finishing long and mineral-laced. A very serious wine, it is also fun, bright and vivacious and should age impressively.Lisa Perrotti-Brown - 27/04/2018