Wine Advocate
byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1998
Since 1988 a persuasive argument can be made that no other St.-Emilion has been as consistently brilliant as Angelus. Even in such difficult vintages as 1992 and 1993 Angelus produced wines of significant merit. In 1997, this estate's harvest began on September 12 and finished on October 10. The final blend is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Not surprisingly, the 1997 is another superlative effort. The opaque purple color is the most saturated of any of the St.-Emilion premier crus. The nose offers up thrilling quantities of pain grille, blackberries, truffles, vanilla, and other jammy fruit aromas. Concentrated, with soft tannin, lavish concentration, and a luxurious, succulent, low acid, unctuously-textured personality, this super-endowed, undeniably captivating Angelus will be hard to resist in its youth. However, it should prove to be long-lived for a 1997. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2015.