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Angélus 2019

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot/Cabernet Franc

Under the leadership of Hubert de Bouard since the mid 1980's, Angélus has been one of the superstars of Saint Emilion, producing modern-style, deep, concentrated and ripe wines full of richness and fruit. In 2012 Angélus (along with Pavie) joined Ausone and Cheval Blanc in achieving first growth status and Hubert's daughter Stephanie began to manage the estate. The 42 hectare vineyard is planted 50:50 Cabernet Franc and Merlot but 15 hectares are used for the second wine "Carillon" with only 27 hectares of 60-80 year old vines being used for the grand vin.

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Angelus

Label

Tasting Notes

Composed of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Angelus is deep garnet-purple in color. It prances out with showy notes of candied violets, star anise, and Sichuan pepper, leading to a core of juicy black plums and boysenberry preserves, plus wafts of iron ore and cedar. Full-bodied, rich, and seductive, the palate delivers loads of earthy layers and impressive restraint, supported by fine-grained tannins and finishing fragrant.

98
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, March 2023

The 2019 Angélus bursts from the glass with a rich, dramatic nose of cherries, licorice, sweet spices and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, layered and vibrant, its broad and velvety attack segues into a layered, concentrated mid-palate that's underpinned by tangy acids and fine, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. It's a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Its seamless, pure profile reflects the subtle shift chez Angélus away from the rich, toasty style of the 1990s and 2000s toward greater elegance and precision. Drink Date 2026 - 2055

96
William Kelley, RobertParker.com (April 2022), April 2022

Redcurrants, sweet tobacco and flowers with some sandalwood. Very perfumed and floral. So pure. Full-bodied, yet so refined and layered, with a soft, compact palate and a crushed-velvet mouth-feel. Poised fruit at the end, together with fresh, rare wood and a light chocolate undertone to the aftertaste. This is open, yet there’s so much in reserve. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc. Leave it in the cellar for at least eight years. Try after 2029.

98
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2022

Grilled oak notes, this is bursting with rich damson, blueberry and blackberry fruits. Stretches out slowly in the palate, showing nudges of liquorice, fennel, bitter chocolate and olive paste, coming in waves but each one taking its time. Great definition and purity of expression, with tannins that are confident but tender. This is less exuberant than the 2018, but it's built to age, and is a total knockout. 100% new oak, some in 30hl oak casks. Harvest September 24th til October 11th. As of 2018 part of the Cabernet Franc has been aged in 30hl oak casks, with the rest in barrel, 100% new oak. Penultimate vintage for technical director Emmanuelle Fulchi.

97
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, January 2022

Tasted blind. Subtle and lifted nose. Lots of tannin on the end but nuanced fruit – and some coolness – on the way there. Really ripe but fresh fruit. Neat. Superior. 14.5%
Drink 2027– 2050

18
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2023

Based on a final blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Château Angélus is knockout stuff, and while I'm not sure it matches the perfect 2018, it's not far off. Gorgeous notes of redcurrants, blueberries, sandalwood, dried flowers, vanilla, and forest floor are just some of its nuances, and it hits the palate with medium to full body, a perfectly balanced, seamless mouthfeel, beautifully ripe tannins, and a great, great finish. It doesn't have the sheer weight or richness of, say, the 1998, 2000, 2005, or even the 2009, but it doesn't lack for intensity or power, and it’s just a beautiful example of modern-day Saint-Emilion. It's already approachable (this was best on day two) yet will keep for another 30+ years.

98
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, April 2022

60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc. Barrel sample.
The most refined Angélus I think I’ve ever tasted. Almost streamlined but with trademark colour, depth and imprint of tannin. Pure, fresh and fragrant with dark fruit and spice aromas. Smooth and saline on the palate with real line and length. Pure and precise with no exaggeration but a firmness of structure evident. One of the best from this estate. (JL)
Drink 2028 – 2045

18+
James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com, June 2020
Read more tasting notes...

A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Angelus is deep garnet-purple colored. It comes bounding out of the glass with energetic scents of Morello cherries, wild blueberries, and juicy black plums, with suggestions of licorice, candied violets, and forest floor with a touch of crushed rocks. Full-bodied, the palate is packed with tightly wound, delicate layers, supported by a lively backbone and firm, fine-grained tannins, finishing long and perfumed.

98
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, May 2022

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.

98/99
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, May 2020

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.

97/99
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, RobertParker.com, June 2020

A supremely elegant Angélus full of power. Here the quality of the fruit and the depth of plum, damson, black cherry and cassis is evident, along with tension, freshness - a slow melding of flavour through the palate with concentration and depth. Liquorice root and baked earth come in from the mid palate and this has the feeling of a being a serious wine that is going to go the distance. The exuberance and confidence of Angelus comes as it opens, with the flavours and texture fattening up. The wine will be aged for one year 30hl new oak casks, and then go into barrel but without new oak for the last 10 months. The low pH means maybe a little less fleshy than usual with Angélus, certainly less so than the 2018. This gets better and better in the glass, strongly recommend giving this time. 3.6pH. Drinking Window 2027 - 2044

97
Jane Anson, Decanter.com, June 2020

Under Stephanie's stewardship the wines have become fresher and more finely etched, whilst retaining the power central to their personality. The 2019 is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. The wine will largely be aged in new French oak for 20-22 months, with some Cabernet Franc now in 30hl foudres to preserve aroma.

Farr Vintners, Farr Tasting, May 2020
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.