Lalande-de-Pomerol is no “flyover” appellation. Romans cultivated the vine here 2,000 years ago, its stone-built chateaux date back centuries, and the terroir shares many similarities with its immediate neighbors Pomerol and Saint-Émilion.

Château Canon Chaigneu, founded in 1564, is just minutes away from the most iconic Right Bank properties of Petrus, Figeac, L’Évangile, Le Pin, La Conseillante, and Cheval Blanc. That last property is especially noteworthy because their maitre de chai, aka Cellar Master, of nearly 40 years left in 2018 to devote all of his winemaking hours to Canon Chaigneau. 

Thierry Garnaud had been actively involved at the property since 1995, and a recent change in ownership bestowed him with the opportunity for more creative freedom, something you simply cannot afford to do at a heavily marketed Grand Cru Classé that charges $800+ per bottle. Today’s “Cuve 8a” is the first masterpiece of what will surely be many as Thierry and his team further develop their dynamic range of wines. 

Why You’ll Love It:

• Crafted from 30-year-old vines are essentially an extension of Pomerol: The soils here are more sandy than gravelly but the clay and limestone are streaked with those same prized iron deposits—crasse de fer
  
• Their small team farms lutte raisonnée and harvests by hand with a couple of sorts before shuttling the grapes into concrete vessels
  
  
• After fermentation, the resulting wine continues aging in concrete (“beton”) until blending and bottling
  
  
• This stunning 2019 debut is 95% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec, known as Pressac on the Right Bank

How To Serve It: 

• Decanting optional, serve in Bordeaux Stems between 58-64 degrees 
  
  
• Enjoy a delectable pairing with Rubbed Roast Duck Cherry Jus