Château Angélus St-Emilion 2016 - 1er Grand Cru Classé A

Bettane & Desseauve

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-standard arsenal. These constant efforts earned it the supreme rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé A in 2012, an elite recognition that places it on the same level as Cheval Blanc or Ausone. Recently, the transition to organic farming has completed the rise of this wine, 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 2016 Angélus bursts from the glass with powerful notes of blackberry pie, ripe black cherries, and juicy black plums, along with hints of star anise, rose petals, chocolate mint, pencil shavings, and wood smoke, as well as a hint of allspice. The palate is a pure triumph. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, rich, and generously fruity, this wine is by no means heavy—it shines with freshness and liveliness, lending an airy quality to all that richness and power, beautifully framed by velvety tannins and finishing with an epic length. The generosity, layers, and richness of this wine make it absolutely DELICIOUS to drink right now, but I suggest waiting another 3 to 5 years for the fireworks to really begin. 2024–2065

About the estate:

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

About the estate:

Promoted to the top tier of Saint-Émilion’s First Growths in the 2012 classification, 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, skilled communicator, and international consultant—a key figure in local and national wine industry bodies. 2013 saw the complete renovation and beautification of the winery, 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 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 making significant changes. 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

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

This is a rich, aromatic wine with dense tannins and intense notes of black plum and spices. The palate is well-structured, yet expanded by lush notes of black fruit and refined by a firm, dry core. Best enjoyed starting in 2025.

Vinous

Jeb Dunnuck

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

Morello cherry, fresh red berries, a hint of spice, minty notes, very expressive. Full-bodied on the palate, with ample, very well-structured tannins, lovely crisp fruit, plenty of body, and a rich, indulgent character. A vibrant, very balanced wine, fresh and dense.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Deep purple. An intense, complex bouquet that unfolds slowly. Angélus begins by revealing fruit and spices in a delicate, elegant manner. As time passes, it gains in intensity and complexity. I detect hints of blackberries, blueberries, and redcurrants. There are also notes of grilled bacon, cinnamon, and a touch of mint. In the finish, chalky notes also emerge and grow in intensity. What a strong character! On the palate, the wine is marked by freshness, complemented by savory notes. The wine has body, class, and tension. The tannins reveal themselves slowly on the finish and struggle to counteract the liveliness of the structure. The crucial point when tasting such a wine is to reach its limits and push it to the edge. The tannins and structure eventually come together to form a beautiful symbiosis. The fruit returns nicely in the finish. Why rate a wine 99 or 100? There is a clear difference between the two scores: 1 point. How to explain it on paper: it lacks a small dose of fruit and sweetness on the finish. We’ll get there, we’ll get there… while noting that the 2005 Angélus was rated 100/100 by Beckustator. Congratulations to the entire team. 2026–2056

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

The best one yet. As is often the case at this stage, I compared the wine before and after decanting. It seems more open and better after decanting. Dark, intense, beautiful, brilliant, and purple in color. The nose is still subtle, with ripe and smooth fruit. It smells more like ink when undecanted. However, it gains a deeper, licorice-like, and meaty note upon decanting. As time passes, a note of violet emerges. Full-bodied and delicate on the palate, rich and full-flavored in the mid-palate, refined in texture, and smooth as it develops, the wine evolves with density and complexity toward a noble, complex, and powerful finish. For now, the finish is slightly dominated by this power, but it will mellow with time.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Deep in color, the wine offers notes of truffle, earth, flowers, and dark red fruits. On the palate, it evokes the feel of fine, well-worn hotel linens, with refined, alluring fruit and concentration. There is vibrancy in the fruit and a velvety texture, combined with depth, complexity, and length. The wine was crafted from a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. The Grand Vin accounts for 67% of the harvest.