Château Angélus St-Emilion 2021 - 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 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

Vinous

Jeb Dunnuck

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

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 resulting 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 over a bed 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.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Angélus had already set the bar high 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. While the 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 associated with this—namely floral nuances, freshness, elegance, and character. A wine of character, highly accomplished, that charts a different course and highlights the team’s ability to handle such vintages. A distinguished, tight, precise, and assertive wine, full of finesse, poised for the decades to come.

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

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, quite 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 tart framework, a touch of firmness, acidity, a very fine creaminess, integrity, and character. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fleshy 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, upright, and well-structured. A lovely salinity. A delightful richness and chewiness on the finish. A very nice freshness on the finish. A wine that reveals itself slowly, requiring patience.

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About the wine:

"Unexpected" is the name of this Angélus cuvée. A very intense purple color with violet highlights and a black core. An Angélus made from Cabernet Franc that is initially slightly closed. After a moment of contact with the 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. The palate 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.

Anthocyanes - Yohan Castaing

About the wine:

A burst of aromas, with notes of black fruit, violet, graphite, and blackberry. Very complex and fresh. A 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.