Angélus - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2007

The Wine Independent

93

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe2/7/2024

A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2007 Angelus is deep garnet in color, with a touch of brick. It races out of the glass with notes of redcurrant preserves, raspberry pie, and kirsch, plus wafts of dried bay leaves, forest floor, graphite, and a hint of leather. Medium-bodied, the palate has a firm, chewy texture and a refreshing backbone defining the savory/earthy flavors, finishing with an herbal lift.

Wine Advocate

92

byNeal Martinthe3/31/2012

Tasted at Farr Vintners’ vertical from ex-chateau magnum. The 2007 has a slightly lighter colour than the 2008 and 2009. I appreciate the bouquet, lighter compared to more recent vintages with raspberry, cranberry sauce and a background tinny accent. Very nice purity here, the Merlot stronger than the Cabernet Franc at the moment and it unfurls nicely in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity on the entry. It is a little angular compared to bottles that I have tasted, but it is very fresh in the mouth with admirable fruit concentration considering the vintage. It does not have a great length, cutting away quite sharply on the spicy finish with residues of burnt toast, so not a long-term vintage but very fine. Tasted October 2011.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

91

byStephen Tanzerthe8/30/2010

Good deep ruby-red. Spicy aromas of blueberry, licorice and bitter chocolate. Sweet, lush and deep but quite suave, with lovely lift to the cabernet franc-driven violet, licorice and peppery flavors. Firmly structured and long on the aftertaste. This already shows good mid-palate fat but really needs at least a few years to expand.

Wine Advocate

92

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2010

A super effort from proprietor Hubert de Bouard, this blend of 62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Franc exhibits sweet notes of chocolate, charcoal, blackberries, and jammy cherries in its round, opulent, fleshy personality. Yields were 35 hectoliters per hectare, and the wine achieved 13.5% natural alcohol. Low acidity and ripe tannin make for a voluptuous style of Angelus to drink now and over the next 10-15 years.

Wine Spectator

88

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2010

Shows very good intensity of blackberry and coffee bean on the nose. Full-bodied, with slightly austere tannins and a long finish. A little hollow midpalate. Almost minerally. There's a lot of wood and cool fruit character, a bit too much new wood for me. Wait and see. Best after 2012.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

89-92

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2008

(approximately 61% merlot, 37% cabernet franc and 2% cabernet sauvignon) Good bright ruby. Superripe aromas of plum, kirsch, violet and chocolate. Fat and soft but with lovely freshness and good depth to its flavors of black cherry, cassis, licorice and bitter chocolate. Finishes with big, tongue-dusting tannins, a note of licorice, and excellent length for the year. No shortage of power here, but will it have enough verve for outstanding?

Falstaff

88-90

byPeter Moserthe6/30/2008

Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, jugendliche Reflexe, violetter Rand. In der Nase süßes Heidelbeerkonfit, zart nach Kokos und Vanille, Nougatanklänge, feine Kräuterwürze. Am Gaumen saftig, wirkt zunächst etwas weitmaschig, feines Waldbeerkonfit, zart nach Schokolade, bereits harmonisch und zugänglich, doch etwas enttäuschend.