Critic Ratings & Tasting Notes
Robert Parker – Wine Advocate (98/100)
“Composed of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Angélus was harvested from the 13th of September until the 4th of October. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sashays out of the glass with gregarious scents of Morello cherries, lilacs, chocolate box and potpourri with a core of Black Forest cake, blueberry crumble, fragrant soil and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, the intensity on the palate builds from delicate, beguiling nuances with ethereal weight to a full-on fireworks display of flavor sparks, framed by fantastic freshness and very finely pixilated tannins, finishing long, layered and invigorating.”
James Suckling (98/100)
“An extremely refined and sharpened Angelus with super fine tannins and sweet ripe fruit in the center palate. It’s full-bodied, yet tight and so very polished. Silky. Very subtle. Bright blue fruit, black fruit and stones. Supple and minerally. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc.”
Decanter (98/100)
“Beautifully expressive nose, really so welcoming with hints of sweet red cherries, raspberries, milk chocolate and touches of perfume too – soft but really defined. On the palate there is such charming grip from the tannins and flavour that just takes hold straight away but not in an overly dominating way. It’s smooth but precise, driven from start to finish. Softly chewy tannins coat the tongue with black fruit and some creaminess alongside excellent acidity that gives a mouthwateringly fresh and cooling aspect underneath the ripe red and black fruit flavours. This has real life and energy, bright with clear complexity and layers of fruit, oak and terroir that comes across as a spicy but also wet stone, mineral undertone. Seriously good. You almost want to drink this now and just capture all the elements going on but they’ll continue to soften and integrate over time and also let the beautiful Cabernet Franc elements integrate and come more into play over time. A success in 2019.”
A Premier Grand Cru Classé A from Saint-Émilion
The estate
This Premier Grand Cru Classé takes its name Château Angélus from the winemakers who intended to ring simultaneously the three church bells in the heart of the famous medieval town of Saint-Émilion. This legendary estate of the appellation was founded in 1782 and, for eight generations, the de Boüard de Laforest family has looked after this exceptional heritage on the Right Bank of Bordeaux.
The vineyard
Château Angélus is a Saint-Émilion wine produced from an exceptional terroir whose vines, averaging 38 years old, are located on the southern slope of Saint-Émilion. This terroir extends over clay-limestone soils on the upper section and clay-sandy-limestone soils on the hillside.
The vintage
The 2019 vintage, described as flamboyant, was marked by rainfall that benefited the vines. The clay-limestone soils enabled the vines to withstand a hot, dry and sunny summer thanks to their water retention and redistribution. During this second year of conversion to organic farming, copper use in the vineyard remained below the standard. The harvest began under the best auspices on September 18.
Blend
Merlot (60%)
Cabernet franc (40%)
