Wine Advocate
byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1999
Now that Angelus is a premier grand cru classe, I detect a subtle shift in style to a more civilized, graceful wine without the power and intensity of vintages such as 1988, 1989, and 1990. If so, the 1998 is an excellent prototype for the new breed Angelus. The color is a saturated dark purple, and the bouquet reveals tell-tale aromas of minerals, black cherries, cassis, dried herbs, new saddle leather, and vanillin. Medium-bodied and rich, with excellent concentration, superb purity, and a structured, spicy, moderately oaked finish, this beautifully made Angelus combines richness with elegance. This wine will require 4-5 years of cellaring because of the aggressive tannin in the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2018.