Château AngélusLisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker, Marc 2021 - 97+P: The 2018 Angélus is blended of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc, aged mainly in oak barriques, 100% new, plus two new foudres. Deep garnet-purple in color, it struts flamboyantly out of the glass with stylish scents of black raspberries, boysenberries and Black Forest cake, plus nuances of rose oil, forest floor, dusty soil and cinnamon toast with a hint of cedar chest. The medium to full-bodied palate is carrying a little new oak at this youthful stage, framing the generous red and black fruits along with ripe, plush grape-skin tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and spicy. Give it 5-6 years in cellar for everything to marry, then drink it over the next 20+ years. Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2021 - 97P: The 2018 Angélus is striking. Cabernet Franc aromatics make a strong first impression. Vibrant and delineated, the 2018 is incredibly refined in every way. The move towards a bit less extraction really seems to let the purity of the fruit come through. The same is true of a reduction of oak. All the elements come together so effortlessly. The 2018 has all the richness readers expect of Angélus, with much more finesse and more overall vibrancy, a combination that works so well. General information: Château Angélus is a prestigious wine estate located in Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, representing eight generations of winemaking excellence by the de Boüard de Laforest family. Historical DevelopmentThe estate's modern history began in 1909 when Maurice de Bouard de La Forest purchased the original parcel. The name derives from the three church bells audible from the vineyards. In 1988, Hubert de Bouard changed the name from L'Angelus to Angelus to appear first in alphabetized wine lists. Estate PropertiesThe property consists of:- 23.4 hectares of vineyards- Grape composition: 51% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon- Annual production of approximately 10,000 cases of the Grand vin Wine PortfolioThe estate produces several wines:- Château Angélus (Grand Vin)- Carillon d'Angélus (Second wine, introduced in 1987)- No. 3 d'Angélus (Third wine)- Tempo d'Angélus (Bordeaux AOP wine) Winemaking PhilosophyUnder Hubert de Bouard's leadership, the estate pioneered several innovative practices:- Open-top vat fermentation- Parcel-by-parcel harvesting- Aging on lees- Lower yields for higher quality Current OperationsThe estate is now managed by Stéphanie de Bouard-Rivoal, representing the eighth generation. The winery was formerly ranked as Premier Grand Cru Classé A but chose to withdraw from the classification system in 2022. Their wines are known for their distinctive style, combining Merlot and Cabernet Franc in nearly equal proportions, creating complex and age-worthy wines. Classification: Château Angélus has withdrawn from the Saint-Émilion classification system in early 2022. Prior to withdrawal, the estate had achieved the following classifications: 2012-2022: Premier Grand Cru Classé A (highest classification) 1996-2012: Premier Grand Cru Classé B Before 1996: Grand Cru Classé Notably, Angélus was the only estate to progress through all classification levels, from Grand Cru Classé to Premier Grand Cru Classé B, and finally to Premier Grand Cru Classé A. The estate withdrew from the classification system along with other prestigious estates Cheval Blanc and Ausone, leaving Château Pavie as the only remaining Premier Grand Cru Classé A property in Saint-Émilion.
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