2022 Château Canon Chaigneau – Grace Under Pressure on the Néac Plateau
rewarded the Néac plateau’s deep, resilient soils with wines of exceptional harmony, depth, and quiet strength.
The story began with a mild, dry winter, marked by lower rainfall than average. Budburst arrived early, under steady warmth, followed by a spring of contrasts: sunny, generous light but limited rain. The vines developed evenly, with perfect flowering and fruit set in late May, setting the stage for a small but promising crop.
As summer approached, Bordeaux entered a period of intense and prolonged heat unlike anything in recent memory. The mercury soared repeatedly beyond 40°C, and rainfall was scarce. In many regions, the combination of heat and drought caused stress, slowed photosynthesis, and halted berry development. Yet on the Néac plateau, our vines held firm — proof once again of this terroir’s natural equilibrium.
The secret lies beneath the surface. The clay-limestone soils, laced with veins of crasse de fer, act as a vast underground sponge. They absorb winter and spring moisture, then slowly release it through the hottest months, ensuring the Merlot vines never shut down completely. The clay keeps the root zone cool and humid even as the air above burns. This natural regulation meant our berries ripened gently, retaining acidity and aromatic complexity while achieving superb phenolic maturity.
By early September, the small, thick-skinned berries had developed beautiful colour and concentration, yet remained fresh and balanced. Picking began under serene early-autumn skies — neither rushed nor delayed, allowing each parcel to be harvested at optimal ripeness. The fruit arrived in the cellar cool, perfectly healthy, and intensely fragrant.
Vinification took place under the experienced eye of Thierry Garnaud, former cellar master of Château Cheval Blanc. The wines showed balance from the start: rich but refined, with seamless tannins and remarkable precision. Ageing has revealed a vintage of both generosity and restraint — the hallmark of the Néac plateau.
In the glass, 2022 Château Canon Chaigneau opens with notes of ripe cherry, violet and mocha, followed by deep layers of black plum, spice, and a hint of graphite. The palate is silky, pure and persistent, with velvety tannins and a long, creamy finish. Despite the warmth of the year, freshness and energy run throughout.
The vintage stands as a testament to the vineyard’s natural resilience and the quiet intelligence of traditional viticulture. No irrigation, no shortcuts — only the enduring relationship between the vines and the clay that has nourished them for centuries.
2022 will be remembered as a vintage of grace under pressure: proof that true terroir is not about weather, but about balance, depth, and soul. On the Néac plateau, even in extreme conditions, the vine finds its calm — and Château Canon Chaigneau its voice.