Château Angélus Saint-Emilion 2015 - 1er Grand Cru Classé A

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

In a vintage where all eyes were on this estate and its new status as a Premier A, Hubert de Boüard has crafted a great wine that is smooth and long-finishing, with a very distinctive velvety texture. The nose is powerful, complex, expressive, and very ripe, with lovely toasty oak and pronounced fruit; the palate is dense and flavorful, with tight, ripe tannins, fruit, and freshness. Enormous potential. Best enjoyed before 2042.

About the estate:

Located in the heart of the Saint-Émilion hillside, in the appellation’s most prestigious sector, with a south-facing exposure, Angélus boasts one of the finest terroirs, spanning 25 hectares in a single block. This estate, brought to the pinnacle of success by Hubert de Boüard—an exceptional winemaker and the soul of the place—is now led by his daughter Stéphanie and his 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 to 50%), significant human and financial investment (the new winery built in 2014 allows for the production of wines of even more impressive precision, and the recent helium balloon system is in place to counteract hail damage), and above all, meticulous attention to every detail. All of this forms a high-caliber arsenal. These constant efforts earned it the supreme rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé A in 2012, an elite distinction that places it on the same level as Cheval Blanc or Ausone. Recently, the transition to organic farming has completed the rise of this estate, which stands out for its unique sensuality and subtle aniseed notes found nowhere else. Fresh, elegant, and supported by velvety tannins, Angélus remains one of the most complex Saint-Émilions on the Right Bank.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Angélus is a bit closed at first, but it quickly opens up to reveal a wonderful bouquet of raspberry jam, ripe black plums, and chocolate-covered cherries, with notes of Darjeeling tea, candied violets, spice cake, and cinnamon sticks, along with a hint of anise. The full-bodied palate is fabulously opulent, offering layers of black and red fruits that coat the mouth, with abundant floral notes and a seductive velvety texture, finishing with great length and tension. 2023–2050

About the estate:

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

About the estate:

Promoted to the top four of the First Growths in the latest Saint-Émilion classification in 2012, no other château has climbed so far up the Bordeaux hierarchy in such a short time. This remarkable rise, achieved over two decades, is the work of Hubert de Boüard, a modern winemaker, master communicator, and international consultant—a key figure in local and national wine industry circles. In 2013, the winery underwent a complete renovation and enhancement, now crowned by a spectacular carillon. After restructuring the family estate’s vineyard parcels, giving it every advantage to reach the appellation’s highest quality standards, Hubert de Boüard is stepping down. In 2017, Thierry Grenié-de Boüard joined Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal at the helm of the château. The eighth generation is taking the reins and significantly shifting the landscape. Angélus exemplifies the best of the formal and sophisticated perfection found in today’s great Bordeaux wines. Ten kilometers from Angélus, a new winery will be used for the vinification of Carillon and N°3, the second and third wines, each with their own dedicated plots. With the 2021 vintage, the château will officially obtain its organic certification.

Wine Spectator

Vinous

James Suckling

About the wine:

A deep nose of red plums and very ripe black cherries. Very ripe and concentrated, with immense, fine, powdery tannins. They guide the voluptuous, velvety palate toward a distant horizon. The finish is very powerful and dense, yet impeccably balanced. Yes, this wine is extraordinary to drink now, but it has so much potential. Drink now, but preferably starting in 2025.

Jeb Dunnuck

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Garnet red with violet highlights. Such elegance and complexity! The aging notes fade into the background, giving way to notes of black fruit, spices, and a pleasant floral quality. Subtle hints of licorice and graphite. As it opens up, notes of red fruit emerge. The attack is silky and luscious. On the palate, the wine is creamy, with powerful yet elegant tannins. They are perfectly integrated and in harmony with a healthy acidity that lends freshness and carries the fruit through to the finish. The finish is refined and lingering. What a great success! This Angélus is impressive and marks a new era—or rather, a culmination; it has definitely joined the ranks of the greats! 2023–2050

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

Intense, beautiful color. The nose is also very aromatic—fruity, pure, ripe, and complex. The attack is nuanced, and the wine unfolds smoothly and flavorfully. From the mid-palate onward, it continues to unfold and becomes more powerful while remaining graceful. A long, complex, and flavorful finish with a fine texture. Superb!

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is aromatic, elegant, delicate, refined, precise, complex, and quite generous. It reveals notes of blackberry, blackcurrant, and violet, combined with subtle hints of plum, blueberry, and spices, as well as a touch of toast, licorice, and a hint of Sichuan pepper. On the palate, the wine is fruity, elegant, smooth, balanced, and precise, offering a lovely tannic structure as well as a rich, slightly silky texture. It reveals notes of blackberry cream and blackberry jam, combined with subtle hints of toast, red berries, and coffee in the finish. The tannins are fine, elegant, tight, and slightly firm. Good length and aromatic persistence. A truly beautiful harmony!

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

On the nose, everything is inviting—even before you detect the truffle, espresso, dark chocolate, black cherry, smoke, spices, and plums. Rich, dense, and concentrated, the wine is voluptuous, opulent, and sexy. The velvety tannins are very pleasant as the wine rolls across the palate. The finish goes on and on. Opened for scientific purposes, this wine will start making a name for itself around 2027.