Château Angélus St-Emilion 2021 - 1er Grand Cru Classé A

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

In the heart of the Côte de Saint-Émilion, in the appellation's most prestigious, south-facing sector, Angélus boasts one of the finest terroirs, covering 25 hectares in a single block. Taken to the top by Hubert de Boüard, outstanding winemaker and soul of the estate, it is now run by his daughter Stéphanie and nephew Thierry Grenié de Boüard, who have been at the helm since 2016. The estate has few equals. A high percentage of Cabernet Franc (40-50%), a major human and financial commitment (the new winery built in 2014 enables even more impressively precise wines to be made, the recent helium balloon system is there to counteract hail attacks) and, above all, meticulous attention to every detail. It all adds up to a highly demanding arsenal. These constant efforts earned the estate the supreme rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé A in 2012, an elite accolade that places it on a par with Cheval Blanc and Ausone. More recently, the switch to organic viticulture has completed the rise of the cru, which stands out for its singular sensuality and subtle aniseed notes found nowhere else. Fresh, elegant and supported by subdued tannins, Angélus remains one of the most complex Saint-Emilions on the Right Bank.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the domain :

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the domain :

Promoted to the quartet of premier grands crus classés A in the latest Saint-Émilion classification in 2012, no château has come so far in the Bordeaux hierarchy in such a short space of time. Hubert de Boüard, a modernist winemaker, great communicator and international consultant, is a man of influence in local and national wine circles. 2013 saw the complete renovation and embellishment of the winery, now topped by a spectacular carillon. Hubert de Boüard has restructured his family's vineyard, giving himself all the assets needed to reach the appellation's quality heights. Thierry Grenié-de Boüard joined Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal at the helm of the château in 2017. The eighth generation is taking over, and significantly shaking things up. Angélus epitomizes the sophisticated, formal perfection of today's great Bordeaux wines. 10 kilometers from Angélus, a new winery will be used to vinify Carillon and N°3, the second and third wines, with dedicated plots. For the 2021 vintage, the château will make its organic label official.

Wine Spectator

Vinous A. Galloni

Jeb Dunnuck

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

A historic portion of Cabernet Franc is included in the blend of this Angelus 2021. Every technical risk was taken, including a drastic selection process resulting in yields of 26 hl/ha. But these sacrifices have paid off: superb brilliance and definition on the nose, with a vertical, slender, racy, full-bodied perfume. A floral bouquet of peony, violet and lilac unfolds on a mattress of juicy blackcurrant. The palate is straightforward but creamy to the core, built on a fine acid backbone, set with finely grained tannins, and unfurls an impeccable silkiness, thirst-quenching and invigorating. The high proportion of barrel ageing adds a very mellow woodiness. A great success.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Angélus had already set the standard during the en primeur tasting! This wine remains in the thick of things, with a freshness rarely seen on the estate, through notes of garrigue complemented by nuances of dark berries. Even if the wine is an Angelus before being a 2021, the style specific to the vintage and the high proportion of Cabernet Franc is assumed. So it's a question of focusing on the assets that are linked to this: floral nuances, freshness, elegance and temperament. A wine of character, very accomplished, showing another way forward and underlining the ability of the teams to manage such vintages. A racy, tight, precise and conquering wine, all finesse, ready for the decades to come.

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is fruity, fresh, elegant and racy, with a fine firmness and velvety finish. A very pretty grain. Notes of fresh/creamy blueberry, boysenberry and slightly ripe strawberry are combined with hints of fresh blond tobacco, flowers and a discreet hint of spice. The palate is nicely structured, fresh, balanced and mineral, offering tension, precision, an acidic structure, a little firmness, acidity, very fine creaminess, uprightness and breed. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fleshy blueberry, creamy blackberry and, more lightly, fresh flowers, combined with hints of fresh/pulpey raspberry and hints of blueberry and chocolate. The tannins are mellow, greedy, precise, straightforward and focused. Beautiful salinity. Attractive gourmandise and chewiness on the finish. Freshness on the finish. A wine that reveals itself slowly, requiring patience.

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About the wine:

Unexpected is the title of this cuvée at Angélus. Intense purple color with violet highlights and a black core. A Cabernet Franc-based Angélus that is initially slightly closed. After a moment's contact with the air, the wine opens up and presents aromas of blackcurrant, ripe plum, black cherry, blackberry, very discreet spices and subtle roasting. A very elegant, expressive nose. The palate is very elegant, persistent and well-structured, with excellent length. A wine of great freshness, with powerful yet silky tannins, a great Angélus.

Anthocyanes - Yohan Castaing

About the wine:

Aromatic radiance, notes of black fruit, violet, graphite and blackberry. Very complex and fresh. A hint of spice on the palate for a Château Angélus that's a little earthy and rooty, with licorice and gentian aromas. Fine bitters. A wine built on tension and linearity. Very distinctive.