Wine Advocate
byRobert Parkerthe4/29/2004
Once again, Angelus is one of Bordeaux’s great successes thanks to the extraordinary hard work and skills of one of its owners, Hubert de Bouard. The 2003 is a blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot. Some cuvees of Cabernet Franc achieved nearly 16% natural alcohol. Inky/purple to the rim, with a stunning perfume of flowers, red and black fruits, lead pencil shavings, smoke, and roasted coffee, it is an opulent, heady effort possessing loads of glycerin, extremely low acidity, and a 60+ second finish. This hedonistic, intellectually pleasing, full-bodied wine is a packed and stacked beauty. Thick, juicy flavors cascade over the palate, so I suspect this 2003 will drink well young, yet age for 15-20 years. It may be a modern day version of its 1947 counterpart.