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2021 Angelus

94-96 VM

Availability:

From the critics:

95 DEC

95-96 JS

94+ RP

94-96 JD

94-96 TWI

Featured Review
For the first time ever, Angélus is 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot in 2021. There's terrific density and power, especially within the context of the year. Black cherry, chocolate, spice, menthol and lavender all build nicely in the glass. The 2021 has quite a bit of richness, and its 14% alcohol, a bit lower than the recent norm, works quite well in this vintage. All it needs is a bit of time to help soften some of the raw contours that are present today. Vinous Media

Vinous (Galloni) | 94-96 VM

Critic Reviews

Blackcurrant purée on the nose, so seductive and heady, concentrated and intense but lively too with some wild flower scents. Succulent on the first sip, you get the mouthwatering red cherry and raspberry fruit but this then turns serious and direct. Linear, focused, driving with layers of flavour giving this both a density but also an aerial element to it. In some ways, there’s a shyness here, a discretion, such sleek silky tannins that softly frame the flavours which are to the fore right now. Red cherry, plum and damson sit alongside clove, cedar, black chocolate and liquorice coming from the Cabernet Franc giving a spicy tang sustaining the wine - the highest amount of Cabernet Franc ever used in the grand vin at 60%. Each element is so well positioned and in high definition, you feel the muscles and backbone but this has exceptional finesse with all the tiny details on show. An excellent effort in 2021. 100% new oak. The first full vintage with technical director Benjamin Laforet.

Decanter | 95 DEC
Beautiful depth here, with currants and blackberries, as well as hints of fresh herbs and wet earth. Medium-to full-bodied, layered and long, with depth and beauty. Savory. Impressive for the vintage. Persistent.

James Suckling | 95-96 JS
The 2021 Angélus unwinds in the glass to reveal aromas of dark berries, plums and cherries mingled with rose petals, forest floor, spices and pencil shavings, framed by creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, layered and vibrant, it’s taut and structured, with a deep core of fruit, chalky tannins and a long, perfumed, vanillin-inflected finish. As readers will remember, it’s a blend of fully 60% Cabernet Franc with 40% Merlot, incorporating foudres in addition to 225-liter barriques, and the rich, toasty oak signature of yesteryear is now firmly in the background, even if the wine still carries a youthful patina. The 2021’s classically balanced profile will reward a bit of bottle age.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94+ RP
For the first time ever, Angélus is 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot in 2021. There’s terrific density and power, especially within the context of the year. Black cherry, chocolate, spice, menthol and lavender all build nicely in the glass. The 2021 has quite a bit of richness, and its 14% alcohol, a bit lower than the recent norm, works quite well in this vintage. All it needs is a bit of time to help soften some of the raw contours that are present today.

Vinous Media | 94-96 VM
The Grand Vin 2021 Château Angélus is 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot that was brought up in new barrels, with a portion of the Cabernet Franc raised in 30 hectoliter foudres. It offers a ruby/purple hue to go with a gorgeous perfume of pureed cassis and black raspberry fruit, as well as spice, spring flowers, and chalky, almost salty minerality. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has wonderful purity of fruit, ultra-fine tannins, and a gorgeous finish.

Jeb Dunnuck | 94-96 JD
Composed of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot, the 2021 Angelus is deep garnet-purple in color. Slightly closed to begin, considerable coaxing reveals scents of redcurrant jelly, black raspberries, and fresh blackberries with suggestions of crushed rocks, tar, truffles, and violets. Medium-bodied, the palate has fantastic intensity and energy, with very finely pixelated tannins and wonderful tension, finishing on a persistent ferrous note.

The Wine Independent | 94-96 TWI

Wine Details for 2021 Angelus

Type of Wine Bordeaux Red : Picture in your mind a combination of cedar, lead pencil, blackcurrant, plum and mineral aromatics, and texture that caresses your palate like a playful lover. The experience is thrilling from the first whiff to the final seconds of a tannic, generous finish - that is what you'll get from a Bordeaux Red
Varietal Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
Country France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world.



For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide.



France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity.



France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.



With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.
Region Bordeaux : Even among the greatest and most reputable wine regions on the planet, Bordeaux stands above the rest. The winemakers of this region have a single-minded dedication to the fine art of viticulture and their efforts never fail to show. If you consider yourself a fine wine enthusiast, you owe it to yourself to visit Bordeaux - life changing. Whether you wish to drink some inspirational and gripping wine as soon as possible, or you want to add some masterpieces to your collection, no region on Earth is a more obvious choice.

The noble and beautiful Garonne and Dordogne rivers surge through southwestern France, enriching the soil in a way very few other places can boast. The limestone-based earth is rich in calcium, and the almost oceanic climate conditions give the staple Bordeaux grape varietals vigor and flavor like nowhere else. For their illustrious reds, Bordeaux winemakers rely on a proven combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Meanwhile, a sip of their excellent white wine hints at the use of Semillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon Blanc.Each of these varietals carries a unique identity, making every quality wine a character piece to rival Citizen Kane. It can be incredibly hard to choose only a few wines to collect for your cellar!
Subregion Saint Emilion

Overview

Producer Chateau Angelus : The de Bouard family arrived in Saint-Emilion in 1910 which marks the true birth of Chateau Angelus as we know it today. The family slowly acquired prime real estate from neighboring properties until it was a sizeable, coveted vineyard. In a land where time and tradition is so beloved, Chateau Angelus takes its name from an everyday occurrence. The ringing of three local church bells could be heard from the vineyards, inspiring the now famous name of the chateau. The sculpture of the bell sits proudly atop the manor house and its image imprinted on the label as a badge, proudly signifying its importance, not only to Chateau Angelus, but to Saint Emilion and its community.

The property is still owned by the de Bouard family and since 1989 has been considered one of the top estates in the Right Bank of Bordeaux. Prior to that time period the property was not making wines as good as their terroir allowed. This changed after Hubert de Bouard took control of the family estate in 1988. After graduating from Bordeaux University, where he studied under the famed French Oenology professor, Emile Peynaud, he joined the family business and began rapidly making changes; vital improvements that would increase the quality of wine and change the history of the estate forever.

His first order of business was to change the estate’s name from “L’Angelus” to “Angelus” which he insisted would allow the wine to show up first in alphabetical order. A very wise and strategic move. Hubert de Bouard began employing techniques that were popular in Burgundy but not widely used in Bordeaux, such as fermenting whole berries, aging on the lees, harvesting, and vinifying on a parcel by parcel basis. He was one of the first Bordeaux vignerons to embrace fermenting in open-top vats and conducting malolactic fermentation in small barrels. Many other practices were introduced that took Angelus in the direction of green harvesting (now 100% organic certified); increasing leaf canopies, changing rootstocks to lower-yielding, and improved drainage systems, which at the time were revolutionary.

Hubert de Bouard looked to the natural landscape of his 39-hectare vineyard when evaluating how best to harmonize the grape varietals with its terroir. Merlot was planted in soils with more clay and limestone, while Cabernet Franc was planted in gravel, limestone and sand terroir, improving the potential for growth and vitality. Acknowledging that varietal placement was a vital component to the vineyards success was incredible foresight by Hubert. The vineyard is planted to 50% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. De Bouard insisted that introducing Cabernet Franc to the vineyard would increase the quality of the wine. It was planted near the best terroir found on the slopes near neighboring Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot and Beausejour Duffau, where the subsoil was dense clay…perfect for Cabernet Franc.

“A great wine is a terroir with the person to reveal it, to make the very best of it and pass it on,” insisted Hubert de Bouard. He has constantly challenged practices and techniques for the benefit of his land and the unique characteristics of the wines grown on it enabling Angelus to be recognized as one of the foremost properties of the Saint Emilion appellation. His bold, brilliant and ambitious efforts were awarded as Chateau Angelus now stands atop the Right Bank as a Premier Grand Cru Class “A” alongside Chateau Ausone and Cheval Blanc.

Production for the estate is quite limited as yields are kept low. The flagship wine, Chateau Angelus has an annual production of 8,500 cases. Their portfolio includes a second wine, Carillon d’Angelus, a third wine, cleverly named “No 3” d’Angelus and the most recently added wine, Tempo d’Angelus. These wines have extremely low production ranging from several hundred to 1000 cases per label.

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