Angélus - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2006

The Wine Independent

94

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 07/02/2024

A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2006 Angelus has a deep garnet color, with a touch of brick. It offers fragrant scents of roses and iris bulb, giving way to a core of kirsch, plum preserves, and mulberries, plus hints of tobacco, underbrush, and star anise. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a velvety texture and just enough freshness to support the generous, slowly developing black fruits, finishing minerally.

Wine Advocate

94

par Neal Martin le 31/05/2016

Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London. The 2006 Château Angelus, a blend of 47% Cabernet Franc, 50% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, has a very perfumed bouquet with scents of blueberry, cassis, crushed violets and just a touch of mushroom. This is very generous. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth, slightly toasty entry. The acidity is quite low compared to other 2006 Saint Emilions, but there is harmony here and the tannins seem very fine. There is real density on the finish, although I was just seeking a little more delineation to come through. Give this another two or three years in bottle. Tasted January 2016.

Wine Advocate

95

par Robert Parker le 28/08/2015

This is another sleeper of the vintage from Hubert de Boüard. The 2006 reminds me somewhat of the 2001, perhaps not quite as lush at this state, but underrated as a vintage at this property. Dense purple, with sweet boysenberry, blueberry and black-raspberry fruit, licorice, chocolate and a touch of barbecue smoke, a bit of graphite also makes an appearance in this full-bodied, opulent wine that seems to be maturing much like the 2001. Drink it over the next 20-25 years. 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.

Jancis Robinson

17.50

par Jancis Robinson le 27/01/2010

Very blackish purple. Some luscious development on the nose. Sweet and charming and round with some well-managed tannins on the finish but much readier - and more convincing - than some of its peers. Mineral and just a bit tough on the end. Drink 2014-2030

Wine Advocate

95

par Robert Parker le 25/02/2009

A spectacular effort (what’s new?), this brilliant offering from proprietor Hubert de Bouard is another classic. A blend of 62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Franc, it boasts an inky/purple color as well as a sumptuous bouquet of creosote, blueberry pie, espresso roast, blackberries, and graphite. Extremely full-bodied and stunningly rich with a multi-layered texture, sweet tannin, and a 45-second finish, this exceptional 2006 is one of the great wines of St.-Emilion. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2028.

Wine Spectator

93

par James Suckling le 29/01/2009

This has a gorgeous nose of black licorice, black cherry and sage. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a very long finish. There’s beautiful texture for the vintage. Enjoy the fruit and richness. Best from 2013 through 2017. From France.—J.S.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

92-93

par Stephen Tanzer le 30/06/2008

Good full ruby-red. Captivating aromas of black raspberry, dark chocolate, licorice and minerals. Juicy, fine and light on its feet, with lovely lift provided by an ineffable floral element that lingers long on the aftertaste. This smooth wine really dusts the entire palate with flavor and titillates the salivary glands, leaving the mouth feeling fresh. Fifteen years ago, Bouard might have overextracted, but this is quite suave. In comparison, the 2007 seems a bit chunky today.

Le Point

16

par Jacques Dupont le 24/05/2007

Fruits rouges, rose rouge, framboise, bouche vive, tendue, serrée. Bon fruit, petits tanins croquants, boisé, un peu dominant. Une version nouvelle d'Angélus plus tourné vers le fruit.

Falstaff

91-93

par Peter Moser le 23/05/2007

Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, jugendliche Reflexe, violetter Rand. In der Nase feinwürzig-balsamisch unterlegtes dunkles Zwetschkenkonfit, Nougat klingt an, Gewürze. Am Gaumen saftig und süß, sehr ausgewogen, kompakt, feste, süße Tannine, bleibt sehr gut haften, besitzt ein gute Länge, gutes Reifepotenzial, attraktiver, moderner Stil.

WeinWisser

19

par René Gabriel le 07/05/2007

2018-2040

Wine Advocate

92-95

par Robert Parker le 02/05/2007

A brilliant effort from this 60 plus acre vineyard run with perfection by proprietor Hubert de Bouard, the 2006 is a classic blend of 62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Franc. An inky/purple color precedes a bouquet of charcoal, blueberries, blackberries, vanilla and roasted coffee. Revealing no hardness from unripe tannin, it is an opulent, fleshy, sensationally rich effort with a fabulous texture as well as along finish. Only slightly below the quality of the monumental 2005, the 2006 will be drinkable early, and should last for 20 years. The natural alcohol is aproximately 14%.

Wine Advocate

97-99

par Neal Martin le 01/05/2007

Tasted at the château. Four words: “Wine of the Vintage”. One punctuation mark “?” and that is because we are assessing a pre-natal wine. But wow, it is all here. A deep black inky purple colour. Pure blackberry and blueberry on the nose, which has the precision and poise that most other Saint Emilion, could only dream about. In the background, a touch of blood orange and brown sugar. The palate is full-bodied, tannic but again with racy acidity and stupendous delineation à la Ausone. A touch of dark chocolate laces the crisp, sweet, blackberry and blueberry finish. Tasted within an hour of both Ausone and Cheval Blanc, Angelus slips past them both. Outstanding.

TAST

17.50

par Bettane & Desseauve le 30/04/2007

Grande couleur, arôme dégagé de fruits rouges, beaucoup de rondeur dans la texture et de suavité dans le tannin, vin onctueux, très adroitement vinifié, raffiné, mais un peu moins intense que les deux premiers crus A.

Vinum

175

par Markus Del Monego le 30/04/2007

Superbe Nase von Gewürzen und Beeren; rauchig und mineralisch; von aussergewöhnlicher Feinheit im Mund, voller Tiefe, elegant und lang, zeigt Schliff. 2014 bis 2020

Jancis Robinson

17.50

par Jancis Robinson le 18/04/2007

Very dark indeed. Distinctive, concentrated, dense nose with obvious ambition – lovely racy creamy texture. I wonder if this is a particularly successful Pavie? Great concentration but lots of supple fruit in the middle. A ‘cool’ finish and masses of well managed tannin. Very much a wine for the long term – which is unusual in this vintage. Well done!

Wine Spectator

92-94

par James Molesworth le 04/04/2007

A clean wine, with lovely berry and mineral character. Full bodied, with fine tannins and a long , caressing finish. This is extremely well made.