Château Angélus
St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend
St. Émilion, Libournais, Bordeaux, France
Earlier I wrote about the 06 vintage, saying it was just good to very good depending on producer and terroir. Angelus is a producer that delivered in the very good range with their 2006.
The nose is subtle with just being poured from a freshly opened bottle. Yet, ripe & lush; black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, black cherries, anise to some light black licorice, dark chocolate baking bar, milk chocolate tones, dark rich earth, some nicely layered, soft baking spices, hues of sage, dark, withering dark flowers.
The palate is lush with M powdery tannins. Ripe & lush; core of black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries, black cherries with over tones of blueberries & strawberries. Anise to some light black licorice, dark chocolate baking bar, milk chocolate notes, understated caramel, some nicely layered, soft baking spices-cinnamon, nutmeg, clove & vanillin, really soft dark spices, mocha powder, hues of sage, dark rich earth dark, dry top soil, just moist clay, sandalwood, fresh tobacco, used leather, light graphite, withering dark flowers & red roses, framed in violets & light lavender, excellent acidity, nice soft tension/struture, well balanced-knitted, perfect elegance and finishes over two-minutes falling on fruits and soft earthiness.
This is still ascending and has 15 plus yrs of good drinking ahead but it is in a good spot today.
It is a solid 94+. The plus with another 3-5 yrs.
Paired with Lamb Salounah Gulf-Style Braised Lamb with Vegetables, served with Butter Rice.
Blind this would fool a number of people off the Right Bank.
@Ek225
Earlier I wrote about the 06 vintage, saying it was just good to very good depending on producer and terroir. Angelus is a producer that delivered in the very good range with their 2006.
The nose is subtle with just being poured from a freshly opened bottle. Yet, ripe & lush; black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, black cherries, anise to some light black licorice, dark chocolate baking bar, milk chocolate tones, dark rich earth, some nicely layered, soft baking spices, hues of sage, dark, withering dark flowers.
The palate is lush with M powdery tannins. Ripe & lush; core of black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries, black cherries with over tones of blueberries & strawberries. Anise to some light black licorice, dark chocolate baking bar, milk chocolate notes, understated caramel, some nicely layered, soft baking spices-cinnamon, nutmeg, clove & vanillin, really soft dark spices, mocha powder, hues of sage, dark rich earth dark, dry top soil, just moist clay, sandalwood, fresh tobacco, used leather, light graphite, withering dark flowers & red roses, framed in violets & light lavender, excellent acidity, nice soft tension/struture, well balanced-knitted, perfect elegance and finishes over two-minutes falling on fruits and soft earthiness.
This is still ascending and has 15 plus yrs of good drinking ahead but it is in a good spot today.
It is a solid 94+. The plus with another 3-5 yrs.
Paired with Lamb Salounah Gulf-Style Braised Lamb with Vegetables, served with Butter Rice.
Blind this would fool a number of people off the Right Bank.
@Ek225
All the stuffing, just not waking up. Cinnamon.
Hands off for a decade.
All the stuffing, just not waking up. Cinnamon.
Hands off for a decade.
A wine I’ve have several times. It’s good don’t let me dissuade you but it’s expand I don’t find it celestial.
A wine I’ve have several times. It’s good don’t let me dissuade you but it’s expand I don’t find it celestial.
Apr 26th, 2025
The 2019 Angélus has a Cabernet Franc-driven nose, touches of Earl Grey and ash infusing the almost sultry black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, taut and crisp, quite a fine arching structure that delivers wonderful tension and mineralité on the finish. Serious. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, February 2023)
The 2019 Angélus has a Cabernet Franc-driven nose, touches of Earl Grey and ash infusing the almost sultry black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, taut and crisp, quite a fine arching structure that delivers wonderful tension and mineralité on the finish. Serious. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, February 2023)
Mar 7th, 2023
Wow. Absolutely stunning tonight. So generous and giving after hardly any aeration, 2000 Angelus wafts from the glass and the decanter with explosive aromatics of blackberry jam, creme de cassis, cigar box and damp earth. It has the most perfect balance of deep fruit intensity and tertiary character, and the palate shows an incredible combination of finesse, density and lift, with a regal mouthfeel and melting tannins. Just stays with you forever. A masterful seesaw between power and elegance. For my tastes, this is in the perfect spot. Fabulous.
Wow. Absolutely stunning tonight. So generous and giving after hardly any aeration, 2000 Angelus wafts from the glass and the decanter with explosive aromatics of blackberry jam, creme de cassis, cigar box and damp earth. It has the most perfect balance of deep fruit intensity and tertiary character, and the palate shows an incredible combination of finesse, density and lift, with a regal mouthfeel and melting tannins. Just stays with you forever. A masterful seesaw between power and elegance. For my tastes, this is in the perfect spot. Fabulous.
Feb 4th, 2023
Like it was bottled last week at age 22 this will far outlast me. Initially compact and focussed, it ultimately spread out with layers of sweet pipe tobacco, roasted espresso bean and a range of red berry. Just gorgeous and far from its apex.
Like it was bottled last week at age 22 this will far outlast me. Initially compact and focussed, it ultimately spread out with layers of sweet pipe tobacco, roasted espresso bean and a range of red berry. Just gorgeous and far from its apex.
Oct 22nd, 2022The 2012 Angélus has a fragrant bouquet: a mixture of red and black fruit, truffle, crushed stone and light wilted flower scents. Very pretty. The palate is medium-bodied with fine delineation and good acidity, quite sappy with modest depth. Fairly structured with a dash of white pepper and peppermint on the finish. This Angélus has tons of personality and is drinking well now. Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index's Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, September 2022)
The 2012 Angélus has a fragrant bouquet: a mixture of red and black fruit, truffle, crushed stone and light wilted flower scents. Very pretty. The palate is medium-bodied with fine delineation and good acidity, quite sappy with modest depth. Fairly structured with a dash of white pepper and peppermint on the finish. This Angélus has tons of personality and is drinking well now. Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index's Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, September 2022)
