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

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.

Located in the heart of the Saint-Émilion coast, 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 heart and 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. It features a high percentage of Cabernet Franc (40 to 50%), significant human and financial investment (the new winery built in 2014 enables the production of wines of even more impressive precision, and the recent helium balloon system is designed to counteract hail damage), and above all, meticulous attention to every detail. All of this adds up to a set of exceptionally high standards. These constant efforts earned the estate the highest ranking 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 estate’s rise to prominence; it stands out for its highly distinctive sensuality and subtle anise notes found nowhere else. Fresh, elegant, and supported by velvety tannins, Angélus remains one of the most complex Saint-Émilions on the Right Bank.

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 fruit that coat the mouth, with abundant floral notes and a seductive velvety texture, finishing with great length and tension. 2023–2050

 

Promoted to the top four Grand Cru Classé A estates in the most recent 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 modernist winemaker, master communicator, and international consultant, and a leading figure in local and national wine industry organizations. In 2013, the winery underwent a complete renovation and beautification, and is now crowned by a spectacular carillon. After restructuring the family estate’s vineyard parcels—giving it every advantage to reach the appellation’s highest standards of quality—Hubert de Boüard stepped down. In 2017, Thierry Grenié-de Boüard joined Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal at the helm of the château. The eighth generation has taken the reins and is significantly reshaping 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 sourced from dedicated plots. With the 2021 vintage, the château will officially obtain its organic certification.

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.

Garnet red with violet highlights. Such elegance and complexity! The aging notes fade, giving way to notes of black fruit, spices, and a pleasant floral quality. Subtle hints of licorice and graphite. After some time in the glass, 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

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!

The nose is aromatic, elegant, delicate, refined, precise, complex, and quite generous. It features 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!

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.