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

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.

 

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 historic portion of Cabernet Franc is included in the blend of this 2021 Angelus. Every technical risk was taken, including a drastic selection process that resulted in yields of 26 hl/ha. But these sacrifices paid off: superb brilliance and definition on the nose, with a vertical, slender, racy, and full-bodied aroma. A floral bouquet of peony, violet, and lilac unfolds against a backdrop of juicy blackcurrant. The palate is straightforward yet perfectly creamy, built on a beautiful acidic backbone, set with very finely grained tannins, and unfolds with impeccable silkiness—refreshing and invigorating. The significant portion of aging in large oak casks imparts a very well-integrated oakiness. It is a truly beautiful success.

Angélus had already set the tone at the en primeur tasting! It remains true to form with a freshness rarely seen at the estate, featuring notes of garrigue complemented by hints of black berries. Even though this wine is Angélus first and a 2021 second, it fully embraces the style characteristic of the vintage and its high proportion of Cabernet Franc. The focus, therefore, is on the strengths that come with this—namely, floral nuances, freshness, elegance, and character. A wine of character, highly accomplished, that charts a different course and highlights the teams’ ability to handle such vintages. A distinguished, tight, precise, and assertive wine, full of finesse, poised for the decades to come.

The nose is fruity, fresh, elegant, and refined, offering a subtle firmness and a delicate velvety texture. It has a very nice texture. There are notes of fresh, creamy blueberry, Boysenberry, and, more subtly, fairly ripe strawberry, combined with hints of fresh blond tobacco, flowers, and a discreet touch of spice. The palate is beautifully structured, fresh, balanced, and mineral, offering tension, precision, a tangy framework, a touch of firmness, a lively acidity, a very delicate creaminess, integrity, and refinement. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of plump blueberry, creamy blackberry, and, to a lesser extent, fresh flowers, combined with hints of fresh, juicy raspberry as well as touches of blueberry and chocolate. The tannins are velvety, rich, precise, well-structured, and balanced. There’s a lovely salinity. A delightful richness and texture on the finish. A very nice freshness on the finish. This is a wine that reveals itself slowly and requires patience.

"Unexpected" is the name of this Angélus cuvée. A very intense purple color with violet highlights and a black core. This Cabernet Franc-based Angélus is initially slightly closed. After a moment of exposure to air, the wine opens up and reveals aromas of blackcurrant, ripe plums, black cherries, blackberries, very subtle spices, and a hint of roasted notes. A very elegant and expressive nose. On the palate, it is very elegant, persistent, and well-structured with excellent length. A wine of great freshness, with tannins that are both powerful and silky—a great Angélus.

A burst of aroma, with notes of black fruit, violet, graphite, and blackberry. Very complex and fresh. A subtle hint of spice on the palate gives this Château Angélus a slightly earthy, root-like character, with aromas of licorice and gentian. Beautifully balanced bitterness. A wine built on tension and linearity. Very distinctive.