Château Angélus St-Emilion 2020 - 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

James Suckling

About the wine:

Blackberry and plum character, with hints of chocolate. Oyster shell. Full-bodied and very firm, with a linear sensitivity. Tight and powerful. Very pure fruit. Tension and energy. Silky tannins. Some notes of coffee beans and chocolate. To be aged for at least 5 or 6 years. 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. To be enjoyed after 2028.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

The jewel in the crown of this great estate, Château Angelus 2020 is composed of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, and aged for 22 months in new barrels. Darker and more concentrated than the 2019, it offers magnificent medium-bodied to full-bodied aromas of red currants, black raspberries, sandalwood, spring flowers, and smoked tobacco. With near-perfect balance, it does not reach the flamboyant style of 10 years ago, but it stands out for its remarkable purity, ultra-fine tannins, round and harmonious palate, and a finish of great intensity. It is very much in keeping with the classic, balanced and structured style of the vintage, and it is recommended to leave it to age in the bottle for 7 to 8 years. It can be enjoyed for over 30 years. 2030-2060

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

The nose is dominated by nature: savory and floral notes, aromas of fresh red fruit, and the freshness of a northern forest. All the sounds of the forest are there: birdsong, the rustling of leaves in the wind... A complete wine that captures your attention and compels you to notice every detail. Breathtaking grace and finesse linger on a long, salty, and flavorful finish. 2028-2058

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

Purity. That's the word that comes to mind when you take a sniff of Angélus 2020. Aromatic purity, stretching between fresh fruit and floral delicacy. Purity of substance, perfectly velvety, built on al dente maturity. Purity of a virtuoso architecture between powdery tannins, smooth texture, and refreshing tension. This is undoubtedly a model of balance. Lively, sapid, mouthwatering, and still dressed in its usual soft velvet suit, Angélus has found its footing and style, establishing itself as one of the major wines of this vintage.

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is nicely structured, pure and elegant, offering a fine grain, purity, intensity (with finesse), concentration (with finesse) and a broad aromatic palette. Notes of dazzling blackcurrant, strawberry and, more slightly, dazzling blueberry are combined with small touches of black tea, fleshy cherry and peony, as well as fine points of pepper, spice, a discreet hint of citrus zest, violet and an imperceptible touch of black tea. The palate is beautifully delicate, all precision/subtlety, offering finesse, tension, gourmandise (in finesse), a certain discretion/restraint in its power, a lovely racy minerality, an airy side to the balance. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of crisp/juicy raspberry, pulpy/juicy blackberry and, more lightly, fresh/sparkling blackcurrant, combined with touches of black plum, violet, bergamot, as well as fine hints of star anise and an imperceptible hint of saltiness. Nice work on the bitters, suavity, sapidity, a lovely powdery grain (adds palatability) on the finish/persistence. The tannins are precise, fine, structuring and polished. Beautiful, lively aromatic persistence. A wine of finesse and subtlety.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Everything that makes Château Angélus so excellent is here in abundance! The wine is almost opaque in color. In the glass, the perfume explodes with its essence of black, dark red and blue fruits, smoke, licorice, flowers, espresso, chocolate and an array of spices. The wine is full-bodied, intense, silky, vibrant and concentrated, with multiple layers of perfectly ripe, soft, cashmere-textured fruit. The wine develops, expands and intensifies on the palate. The fruit offers purity and relief in the seamless finish that lingers for nearly 60 seconds. Give it some time in the cellar and it'll probably hit triple digits. It's that good! Drink between 2026 and 2060.