Angélus - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2000

Wine Spectator

96 / 100

par James Molesworth le 25/04/2017

This shows some extraction and is very solidly built, as the core plum, black currant and fig paste flavors have flesh and density that unfurl slowly in the glass, but there's energy and freshness to match, thanks to mouthwatering ganache and licorice root notes and brambly tannins. A strong roasted apple wood element gives the finish range and length. A bit of a chest-thumper, but "it ain't bragging if it's true."—2000 Bordeaux blind retrospective (December 2015). Drink now through 2030. 667 cases made.

Wine Advocate

99 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/08/2015

Approaching perfection, this wine is inky, bluish/purple-colored to the rim, offering up notes of incense, blueberry and blackberry liqueur, licorice, graphite and spring flowers. A touch of roasted espresso bean is also present. The wine has great concentration, a magnificent, full-bodied mouthfeel, stunning purity, and well-integrated acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood. This beauty seems to be in mid-adolescence with at least 25-30 years of life ahead. 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

93 / 100

par Neal Martin le 31/07/2013

Consistent notes to the bottle tasted last year with that enticing truffle and tar tinged bouquet and a harmonious, full-bodied, composed palate that suggests it will need just two or three years before it begins to enter its plateau of maturely. Very fine indeed. Tasted December 2012.

Wine Advocate

97 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/06/2010

What can you say about Hubert de Bouard and Angelus? Each year they seem to turn out one great wine after another, and the 2000 showed its merit in two different tastings. A wine of great intensity, bluish/black, with a big, sweet kiss of graphite, crushed rocks, blueberry, spring floral garden and blackberry liqueur, unctuously textured as well as pure, dense, and stunningly rich, this full-bodied wine can be drunk now or cellared for another 25-30 years....

La Revue du Vin de France

18 / 20

le 01/12/2009

De l'allonge et une trame encore serrée pour ce vin de style très classique dont les tanins ne sont pas encore fondus. Belle droiture.

Wine Advocate

96 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/2003

The finest effort since the 1989 and 1990, this dense purple-colored wine has an extravagantly ripe, concentrated style. The 2000 (in a new engraved bottle) offers up aromas of blackberry liqueur and vintage port. As the wine sits in the glass, graphite, wet stones, smoke, barbecue spices, and olives also make an appearance. It unfolds on the palate in layers, is full-bodied, big and rich yet incredibly poised, well-balanced, and pure. Quite backward, this is one of the greatest Angelus made to date. Yields were a modest 35 hectoliters per hectare. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2030. Bravo!

Wine Spectator

97 / 100

par James Suckling le 31/03/2003

Out of this world. Incredible aromas of crushed blackberries and cherries, with wet earth, mineral and mint. Full-bodied, with fantastically refined, silky tannins and a long, long finish. Terrific. Greatest Angelus I have ever tasted. Best after 2010. 7,080 cases made.

Wine Advocate

93-96 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/2002

An outrageously ripe, concentrated, dense effort, the 2000 offers up aromas of blackberry liqueur and vintage port. As the wine sits in the glass, graphite, wet stones, smoke, barbecue spices, and olives also make an appearance. It unfolds on the palate in layers, is full-bodied, big and rich yet incredibly poised, well-balanced, and pure. Quite backward, this may turn out to be the greatest Angelus made to date, but it is still too early to know. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2030. Bravo!

Wine Advocate

96-98 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/2001

A fine Angelus, unmistakably, this is a vin de garde. A huge, massive, firm, extraordinarily well-delineated Angelus with terrific purity and freshness. The color is a saturated port-like purple/black. With airing, the reluctant aromatics reveal scents of licorice, truffles, blackberries, plums, creme de cassis, smoke, and incense. The wine is excruciatingly tannic, but also phenomenally concentrated, full-bodied, and rich. Paradoxically, it is viscous yet has good acidity, one of the unusual characteristics of the 2000 vintage. This gives the wine freshness and delineation in spite of surreal levels of extract and richness. This looks to be one of the wines of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2035.