The 2011 Canon Bordeaux Blend from Saint Emilion is a standout wine from a challenging vintage, showcasing the estate's dedication to quality and finesse. This red wine is composed of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc and exhibits a sophisticated character that has impressed numerous reviewers.
Jeff Loo from JJ Buckley highlights the wine's "fine-grained tannins alongside firm acidity" and notes its "black fruits, grilled meat, and spice" flavors, crediting the Chanel-owned estate for its strides in this vintage. James Suckling praises its "extremely fine tannins" and describes it as a "young red with polish and poise," recommending to try it from 2017.
Wine Enthusiast awarded it an excellent score of 95, describing it as "firm and tannic" with a "powerful shot of black fruits." Robert Parker's Wine Advocate calls it "one of the stars of the vintage," noting its "bright, animated and playful" nose with aromas of red cherries and dark plums. Neal Martin emphasizes its "classic in style" and "superb" nature, attributing its success to former winemaker John Kolasa.
John Gilman from View From The Cellar appreciates its "deep, pure and utterly refined nose" and "beautifully balanced" palate, while Jeb Dunnuck commends its "rich, full-bodied, and beautifully textured" qualities, likening it to the 2005 vintage. Jane Anson acknowledges its "evident delicacy to the tannins" and notes its "sappy fruit flavors" and subtle structure.
Despite the challenges of the 2011 vintage, as Jeff Leve mentions, this wine is a testament to Canon's prowess, offering ripe cherries, earthy nuances, and a purity of fruit. With its ability to age gracefully, it promises to remain a stellar choice for wine enthusiasts for decades to come.