Angélus - Hommage à Elisabeth Bouchet - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2020

Angélus - Hommage à Elisabeth Bouchet - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2020

Hommage à Elisabeth Bouchet, a rare single-variety cuvée

It all starts with a ‘coup de foudre’: in 1921, Maurice de Boüard de Laforest married Élisabeth Bouchet. It was Élisabeth who was the driving force behind the purchase of ‘Clos de L’Angelus’. As a homage to his young wife, who had now made Saint-Emilion her home, Maurice de Boüard de Laforest replanted a large plot of the estate with Cabernet Franc, a grape variety known locally as “Bouchet”.

To immortalize the legacy of this extraordinary woman who indelibly shaped the family's history, the team at Angélus have crafted a highly scarce and precious cuvée, 100% Cabernet franc. The Hommage à Elisabeth Bouchet is only produced in vintages in which the optimal expression of Cabernet Franc variety is achieved. Only a few bottles are made.

The 2020 vintage

After a rainy winter and spring, the soils retained a crucial water reserve, which helped the vineyard maintain its balance throughout the year. The warm summer, without extreme heat, created ideal conditions for optimal grape ripening. The clay and limestone soils preserved freshness even during the dry spells. In 2020, the Cabernet Francs outperformed the Merlots with their impressive density and depth, resulting in wines of remarkable aromatic complexity. The tannins, dense yet velvety, were beautifully refined through aging in large oak casks, imparting an exceptionally long and elegant finish.