Chateau Angélus - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2010

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

95 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe8/31/2013

(15.5 alcohol!):  Good deep, bright ruby-red.  Extravagantly rich aromas of black raspberry, blueberry, bitter chocolate and coconutty oak.  Like liquid silk in the mouth, but with outstanding verve to the huge, palate-saturating flavors of blueberry, violet, espresso and minerals.  This is almost too much of a good thing today in a Napa cult wine way,
 but the wine's molten, slowly building tannins and outstanding finishing power promise a long and glorious evolution in bottle.
 
           

Wine Spectator

97 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2013

Got patience? You'll need it to wait this brute out fully. A chunk of tar sits between you and the core of black currant, hoisin sauce and roasted Black Mission fig fruit flavors, while the back end is a road-paving machine laying down a smoldering tarry track of tobacco and freshly ground coffee. And there's an iron note too, as if this needed it. One of the most backward wines of the vintage. Best from 2017 through 2040. –JM

Wine Advocate

98 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe3/1/2013

An absolutely spectacular wine from this estate, run with meticulous precision by Hubert de Bouard, the opaque bluish/purple 2010 Angelus offers up a beautifully sweet smorgasbord of aromas ranging from blueberry pie to espresso roast, white chocolate, creme de cassis, licorice, truffle and a touch of lead pencil shavings. There is even a floral underpinning to this extraordinary, highly-scented, full-bodied wine. Rich, layered and built like a skyscraper, this multi-dimensional Angelus has lavish concentration and moderately high tannin, but it is sweet and well-integrated, as is the oak. Just enough acidity provides focus and delineation to this exceptionally well-endowed wine, which should hit its prime in 7-10 years and last 30-40.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/14/2013

Tasted at the chateau. Bottled in September, this sample was opened an hour before and decanted upon my request to allow it to settle as much as possible. The 2010 is a blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc raised entirely in new oak for around 21 months. The nose is very pure and nicely defined, the fruit very concentrated and handling the alcohol well (15.6%). The palate is full-bodied with firm, very structured tannins. There is plenty of dense dark cherries, crème de cassis and boysenberry fruit with a touch of spice. Like Troplong-Mondot, it is towards the finish where the alcohol becomes tangible – begins to nag, which makes me worry that the wine might become fatiguing in quantity. Tasted November 2012.

Jamessuckling.com

99 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2013

The nose is impressively rich with an opulence and sexiness with earth, berry, spice and chocolate character. Black truffles! Full body, with seamless tannins and beautiful richness. It goes on for minutes. The layers of fruit and ripe tannins are phenomenal. This is the greatest Angelus ever for me. Try in 2018

Wine Advocate

94-96 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/31/2011

2010: A blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc cropped at 32 hectoliters per hectare, the 2010 may not hit the peaks of the extraordinary 2009 or 2005, but it is another fabulous wine from proprietor Hubert de Bouard. It boasts an inky/blue/purple color along with abundant aromas of acacia flowers, blueberry liqueur, black raspberries, licorice and subtle toasty oak in the background. A notion of graphite emerges as the wine sits in the glass, which tends to be a characteristic of Angelus. Long, rich, dense and full-bodied with high but well-integrated tannins, it will rival the 1989 and 1990 as well as the 2009 and 2005 as one of the finest wines made at this estate. At present, the 2009 has a slight edge because of its more sumptuous texture. Nevertheless, the 2010 is a great wine with a future of at least 30 years! Drink 2011-2014 (94-96+ points)

Wein Wisser

19 / 20

the5/30/2011

Blutrot mit violettem Schimmer, sehr dicht in der Mitte. Königliches Cassisbouquet, schwarze Oliven, Fruchtblüten und ein Hauch Minze, im Untergrund tiefgründig mit Rauch, Teer und Black Currant. Felischiger Gaumen, füllig, reich an gerundeten Tanninen, wiederum Cassis, jetzt auch mit reifein Brombeeren vermischt. Normalerweise stellt man sich bei diesen Ansätzen auf einen unnahbaren Boliden ein. Dieser Angélys ist aber sehr direkt und ansprechend, ohne dass sich dabei das Potenzial schmälert. Neue Richtung? Es ist also möglich, dass sich unbändige Kraft mit zarter Finesse vermischen kann. Das ergibt die Würde eines Premier Grand Cru. 2020-2036

Asian Palate

93-96 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe5/24/2011

The 2010 Angelus has notes of fresh blackberries, blueberries and cedar, and is made in a lively style with good length and freshness. The wines of Angelus are definitely evolving towards a more elegant style, with the right amount of supporting acidity.

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe5/12/2011

Extremely dark purple. Very beguiling scent. Intense. Purple fruits and then balsam wood. Real exciting palate hit – quite sweet but with structure too. Looking pretty good! Tense and intense. Needs lots of time. A sort of halfway house to Pavie style. Drink 2018-2032

Le Point

17,5-18 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/12/2011

Grillé, bouche puissante, structurée, vin d'argile, très séveux, dense, tannique, riche, beaucoup de matière. Un vin massif à ce stade mais sans dureté, profond, sans note de surmaturité. O=2018 G=20 ans

Jamessuckling.com

97-98 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/30/2011

Wild aromas of blackberries, dark chocolate and hints of toasted nuts. Very intense. Full bodied, with super integrated tannins and a fabulous finish. Goes on for minutes. This takes off on the palate. Really impressive. 45% Cabernet Franc and 555 Merlot.

Decanter Magazine

18,5 / 20

byJames Lawther MWthe4/30/2011

In the same league as the amazing '09 but an even bigger structure here. Tell-tale saturated colour. Busy, complex nose with spice, cacao and violet (45% Cabernet Franc) notes. Ripe, succulent fruit on the palate but not overblown. Lingering freshness behind. Powerful but refined tannins. Long, persistent finish. Drink 2020-2035. (18.5 points)

Wine Spectator

94-97 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2011

This is really fine, with gorgeous mouthfeel to the notes of blueberry, plum and black cherry preserves. Shows alluring black tea and incense hints in the background, with ample, iron-tinged grip on the finish. This has density and elegance. Impressive. —J.M.

TAST

18-19 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2011

Le volume est gras, ample, suave et racé, grand tanin fin, belle allonge distinguée, vin noble et racé. Plus en confort de bouche qu’en fraîcheur, c’est un vin de grande intensité avec une persistance veloutée et généreuse.

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-98 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/25/2011

Angelus From an assemblage of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc, this inky purple wine sports a beautiful sheen. Licorice, coffee, jammy black and red fruits, earth and stone aromas are found with little effort. The full boded, rich, concentrated wine feels sexy and plush with its cashmere tannins. The long, intense, balanced finish ends with licorice, chocolate and pure, black plum liqueur sensations. Hubert de Bouard prefers this to the 2005, which for me, remains the benchmark wine for Chateau Angelus. At this point in time, I do not agree with Hubert. But it’s going to be fun comparing those and other vintages over the next several decades. 96-98 Pts

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/14/2011

Very dark crimson. Manages to be both savoury and luscious on the nose. Thick and dense and very sweet on the finish. All stops pulled out to make an impression! Very firm finish after great riches. Dry, slightly tarry finish. Drink 2020-2035

Jean-Marc QUARIN

17,75 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/8/2011

Couleur sombre, pourpre et belle.Nez fin, fruité, mûr et frais. Très belle entrée en bouche, moelleuse et dense, où le vin se développe caressant, suave, gras, avec un aspect un peu plus crémeux que d'autres crus. Il est marqué par 55% de merlot dans une année très favorable au cabernet franc (45%). Les rendements étaient trop faibles pour en mettre plus. Finale longue et sèveuse sur des tannins fins et de la profondeur. C'est très bon.

Wine Enthusiast

91-93 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/6/2011

Firm and tannic, very structured wine, while still savoring its rich fruit character, this feels very opulent. However, there is a problem with alcohol showing through as a pepper edge.-R.V.