Angélus - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1999

Wine Advocate

byNeal Martinthe6/30/2009

Compared to other Saint Emilion ‘99s, I find this rather simplistic and one-dimensional. I wonder if this is still in an adolescent phase? It begins to open up with aeration with notes of macerated black cherries, kirsch, a touch of marmalade and Seville orange. The palate is full-bodied, somewhat chunky, a little dry, showing some hardness towards the finish. Compared to the Tertre-Roteboeuf it seems a little dour. Drink 2010-2016. Tasted June 2009.

Wine Advocate

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2002

Forced to harvest early due to hail, Angelus, surprisingly, has turned out a very good 1999. This wine offers scents of blackberries, licorice, tapenade, and figs. It lacks the length possessed by the great Angelus vintages such as 2000, 1998, 1990, and 1989, but it is ripe, pure, and moderately tannic. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.

Wine Spectator

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2002

Elegant aromas of dark chocolate, berries, spices and flowers. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, caressing finish. Like cashmere. Impressive effort from Angélus, considering part of its crop was hailed. Best after 2004. 4,165 cases made

Wine Advocate

90-91

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2001

Angelus was among the vineyards forced to harvest early because of a damaging hailstorm that swept through a small sector of St.-Emilion on September 5th. Amazingly, this wine has turned out brilliantly, having put on weight, flesh, and dimension since tasted last year. The finest of the wines from the hail-damaged vineyards, this full-bodied offering should turn out to be outstanding. The color is a dense purple. The bouquet offers up aromas of roasted meats, black fruits, pain grille, and spice. Lush and opulent, it is a credit to this quality conscious proprietor. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2015.

Wine Advocate

88-89

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2000

Because Angelus suffered heavy hail, only 4,000 cases (rather than the normal 8,000) of the 1999 were produced. Despite all the post-hail hysteria claiming the crop had been destroyed, Angelus's 1999 falls only a point or two short of being outstanding. If it had slightly more persistence on the palate, it would have merited a rating of 90 or better. The saturated black/purple color is accompanied by this property's tell-tale aromas of roasted Provencal herbs, olives, and gloriously sweet, jammy, fat, blackberry, prune, and cherry fruit with nicely-integrated wood. The wine is dense, thick, and juicy on the attack, but falls off slightly. With low acidity, it should drink well when released, and will keep for 10-12 years.