| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Under the leadership of Hubert de Bouard since the mid 1980s, 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 Stéphanie began to manage the estate. However, Angelus left the classification recently (with Cheval Blanc and Ausone) leaving only Pavie with newly-promoted Figeac). The vineyard is planted 50:50 Cabernet Franc and Merlot with 32 hectares of old vines (average age 40 years) being used for the grand vin. In 2022 an additional 3.65 hectares were added from Chateau Bellevue. The second wine "Carillon d'Angelus" is now made in a new cellar in Castillon from separate plots of land.
100,000 bottles will be produced in 2023 from 53% Merlot and 46% Cabernet Franc with 1% Petit Verdot. The extraction and especially th new oak have been turned down and fine-tuned here recently. 50% of the Cabernet Franc is now aged in 32 hectolitre foudres. The yield was 40 hl/ha, alcohol 14%. Hubert compares this vintage to the excellent 2001 produced here and describes it as being "refined and elegant. Delicate, spicy and well-balanced". Angelus has certainly turned down the volume (if not the price) to good effect in recent vintages.
A classic blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Angélus reflects this estate's continuing evolution with regard to ripeness, extraction and élevage choices, offering up attractive aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with hints of mint, potpourri, rose petals, vine smoke and orange zest. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and supple, with a velvety attack that segues into a core of pure, pillowy fruit framed by supple, powdery tannins, it's cool and harmonious, concluding with a long, perfumed finish. This is a terrific effort that foregrounds the vintage and the terroir at their best.
The 2023 Angélus is the traditional blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. It aged for 20 months in new oak with just over half the Cabernet Franc aged in foudres (the Merlot is apparently less receptive to this larger vessel). It has a crisp and precise bouquet, not powerful, a light marine influence coming through with background scents of oyster shell. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins. There’s a pleasant saline edge to this Angélus, perhaps a little more compact on the mid-palate than usual, with touches of white pepper toward the finish. It needs a little more persistency on the aftertaste. This will deserve five of six years in bottle.
The turnaround in this property's style has been remarkably quick, eschewing the dense and rich style of a decade ago in favour of airy, floral tones that are so in vogue today. The nose here is red fruited, and almost delicate, but still glossy with tonka bean and vanilla tones from new oak. The palate has crunchy red fruits at the core, with supple, silky tannins deftly framed around the fruit. This is a remarkably approachable wine, the tannins seamless and melting into the background. There is an unerring salinity to the fruit, giving a lipsmacking, moreish finish that leaves you wanting more. Light graphite tones offset the sweet and salt to give some savoury presence on the long finish.
The transparency of fruit and the finesse is really something here. There’s depth and beauty to the pristine, fresh fruit. Full-bodied and muscular with wonderful tannins that provide tension and form. Subtle and weightless, this is a thought-provoking young wine. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc.
A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Angelus has a pH of 3.65 and is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a little shaking to bring forth an eruption of energetic scents of wild blueberries, Morello cherries, and ripe plums, followed by nuances of cedar chest, clove oil, cinnamon stick, and violets, with a touch of garrigue. The medium-bodied palate is so, so finely knit with a mille-feuille of red, black, and blue fruit layers interspersed with mineral and floral notes, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and earthy. It will need time but it will be a jaw-dropper!
Cocoa bean, liquorice, pomegranate, smoked earth, sage, anis, fennel, slate tannins, this combines nuanced and sinewy tannins with a generous supple expansion through the palate, building in power and impact. Beautifully fragrant, measured and skilful. 50% in foudres for Cabernet Franc, 50% new oak for the Merlot. Harvest September 14 through to October 1, Benjamin Laforest winemaker, Stephane de Boüard-Rivoal owner.
The 2023 Angélus is elegant and polished right out of the gate. Floral top notes and bright acids bring out the more refined side of Angélus. The 2023 shows how much Angélus has evolved in recent years. Bright red-toned fruit, blood orange, mint and rose petal lend notable verve. The blend is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. About half of the Franc is being raised in foudre. All the elements are so well integrated for a young wine. It is one of the best recent vintages I have tasted. 2030-2053
60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc. 40 hl/ha. Cask sample.
Deep purple hue. Complex nose with floral and dark-fruit notes. Rich, smooth and dense on the palate, the tannins fine but firm and tightly wound. Exudes a certain power and austerity at the moment but clearly built to age. (JL) 14%
Drink 2032 – 2048
