Château Angélus - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1995 6b11bd6ba9341f0271941e7df664d056

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/28/2015

This is typical 1995 in that it’s young, tannic, masculine and still vigorous and foreboding. This vintage at age 20 seems reluctant to evolve in the most graceful manner possible, but it is still easily holding on to life and still has a fair amount of tannin left to resolve. The wine is concentrated, but will the tannin ever soften to the point where it is well-integrated? This can be drunk now, as the aromatics are enticing and complex. Although, be aware of the tannin clout the wine still possesses. Drink 2017-2030. 92+ The Boüard family, the proprietors of Château Angelus, date from 1544 in St.-Emilion. Located on lower hillsides, with a southerly exposure, their 67-acre vineyard, composed of sandstone, limestone and clay, is planted with 47% Cabernet Franc, 50% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Hubert de Boüard, who single-handedly elevated the quality from one of mediocrity (vintages such as 1978, 1982, 1983, and 1985 were disappointing), hit pay dirt with his efforts starting in 1988. Since then, there has been a remarkable succession of great wines. Radical viticulture such as crop-thinning, shoot-positioning and the immensely labor-intensive manual destemming are employed. Both a second and third wine are made, as the selection process for Angelus is severe. All of this resulted in the 2012 Angelus being upgraded, along with Pavie, to Premier Grand Cru Classé A, joining Cheval Blanc and Ausone as one of only four estates in St.-Emilion to receive this accolade. Aging takes place in 100% new oak for 18-24 months, after which the wine is bottled with neither fining nor filtration.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe3/31/2012

Tasted at Farr Vintners’ vertical from ex-chateau magnum. The 1995 dips just below my expectations. It is very deep in colour. The nose (surprisingly) takes more coaxing than the 1996, with secondary aromas beginning to show through: oyster shell, a touch of undergrowth, a hint of wild mushroom and wet tobacco. The palate is full-bodied with quite a rich, dense mid-palate. For me that oak is imparting a touch of dryness but that is but a minor quibble. Impressive, but somehow maybe lacking a little “soul”. Tasted October 2011.

Wine Advocate

96 / 100

byNeal Martinthe7/1/2007

A deep garnet core with deep ruby rim. The nose has more fruit intensity than the Chateau L’Angelus 1996, a slight more meaty quality with strawberry, cherry, cooked meat and fresh tobacco. The palate is full-bodied, supremely well balanced with good acidity. Cedar, slightly meaty, almost Left Bank in style. Reserved, but oozing quality. The finish is beautifully defined, just a little savoury with a touch of dates and orange zest. A really lovely, complex 1995. Tasted July 2007.

Wine Spectator

95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/30/2007

Crushed berry and dark chocolate. Slightly reserved in the nose. Full-bodied, with loads of layered, velvety tannins. Big, yet refined and beautiful. Long and caressing. Give this time.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2009.

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe9/1/1998

Remarkably, the 1995 Angelus may turn out to be nearly as profound as the incredible 1989 and 1990. This opaque purple-colored wine offers up a pure, sweet nose of blackcurrants, lead pencil, and vanilla. Lavishly-endowed, with layers of concentrated, pure fruit nicely dosed with smoky new oak, this is a full-bodied, fat, multi-layered, compellingly-textured wine that conceals most of its tannin under a blast of ripe fruit, glycerin, and extract. It is not to be missed! Anticipated maturity: 2001-2027. Last tasted 11/97

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1998

A superb effort in this vintage, Angelus's opaque purple-colored 1995 is a massive, powerful, rich offering with plenty of ripe, sweet tannin. The wine's aromatics include scents of Provencal olives, jammy black cherries, blackberries, truffles, and toast. A very full-bodied wine, it is layered, thick, and pure. This is the most concentrated of the 1995 St.-Emilion premier grand crus. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2025.

Wine Spectator

94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe1/31/1998

A stunning red. Dark and inky, with masses of coffee, blackberry, cherry and wild flower aromas. Full-bodied and tannic, with loads of fruit and tons of oak on the long, long finish. Perhaps a bit too much new wood on the finish? Best after 2003.

Wine Advocate

94-96 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1997

In the new classification of St.-Emilion, justice was certainly served with the elevation of Angelus to premier grand cru classe status. No Bordeaux estate has been making as concentrated and consistently high quality wines as has Angelus since 1988. Even in the rain-plagued vintage of 1992, Angelus produced a wine of uncommon power, ripeness, and intensity. This estate is in many ways symbolic of what heights Bordeaux can achieve when a property is managed by someone as passionate and driven as Hubert de Bouard. As I have been writing for the last decade, these are wines to buy at first release; they can only go up in price given their quality. Remarkably, the 1995 Angelus may turn out to be nearly as profound as the incredible 1989 and 1990. This opaque purple-colored wine offers up a pure, sweet nose of blackcurrants, lead pencil, and vanilla. Lavishly-endowed, with layers of concentrated, pure fruit nicely dosed with smoky new oak, this is a full-bodied, fat, multi-layered, compellingly-textured wine that conceals most of its tannin under a blast of ripe fruit, glycerin, and extract. It is not to be missed! Anticipated maturity: 2001-2027.

Wine Advocate

92-95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1996

The opaque purple-colored 1995 L'Angelus offers up an extremely ripe, pure, jammy nose of black-cherries, plums, and smoky new oak. This huge, full-bodied, rich, low acid, voluptuously-textured wine is a treat to drink. It is more forward and loosely knit than the 1994. Proprietor Hubert de Bouard has once again produced a marvelous claret in 1995. It should drink well when released and age beautifully for 15-25 years.