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Angélus 2008

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

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

Label

Tasting Notes

A strong effort in this under-appreciated vintage that sold for a song, the 2008 Angelus is still young and vibrant, with a dense purple color and a sweet kiss of chocolate-infused blackberries and blackcurrants. There are some floral notes, as well as forest floor and lead pencil nuances. Medium to full-bodied with ripe tannin and outstanding equilibrium and purity, this is another beauty from a much more challenging vintage. Drink now through 2030.

93
Robert Parker, RobertParker.com (#220), August 2015

Tobacco, berry and orange peel character. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a clean finish. Refined and balanced.

89/92
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, April 2009

Warm, toasty nose with real juice and life to it. Relaxed winemaking. Quite a bit of force though less vibrant than the Ch Ausone I have just tasted. But good purity and not too much alcohol. Sweet and succulent - just a little hint of dry tannins on the end.

17.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2009
Read more tasting notes...

A stunning success, this 7,000-case blend of 58% Merlot and 42% Cabernet Franc reveals a beautiful nose of black currants, black cherries, loamy soil and forest flora. Full-bodied, this deep, chewy, savory, broadly-flavored 2008 possesses sweet tannin, decent acidity and a long finish. Its 14% alcohol content is nearly as high as the 2009's and 2010's 14.5%. Already accessible, it should continue to age effortlessly for 20-25 years.

93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011

Made from yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare, this blend of 58% Merlot and 42% Cabernet Franc exhibits an inky/blue/purple color as well as a sweet bouquet of blueberries, blackberries, camphor, forest floor, and a hint of spring flowers. Although backward, it reveals great intensity, sweet tannin, a nuanced, lively personality, full body, and a promising style. Like a lot of these wines, the score for this wine is probably low given the late malolactic fermentation as well as a later than usual blending. There have been so many great wines from Angelus since 1989 that it is hard to put the 2008 in the context of some of the other remarkable vintages. My guess is that there are five vintages that will ultimately eclipse it - 1989, 1990, 1998, 2000, and 2005, but not by much. However, the 2008 is not far off the mark of any of those legends. It should drink well for 25-30 years.

92/94
Robert Parker, RobertParker.com, April 2009

A blend of 58% Merlot and 42% Cabernet Franc, this has a deep ruby colour. This has a deep, almost savoury nose, the Cabernet Franc driving the bouquet along with touches of brambly black fruits, wet clay, a touch of spice and white pepper. Very complex. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, quite spicy on the entry, elegant, less "slick" than recent vintages but one might argue, more "cerebral". Off dry, peppery finish. Very fine. Tasted April 2009

92/94
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2009
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.