Château Angélus - Premier Grand Cru classé A

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

par Neal Martin le 28/10/2016

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux tasting. The 2012 Angelus does not offer the same level of complexity as its peers at the moment. This is (surprisingly for Angelus) conservative and backward. There is a touch of seaweed developing with time but otherwise the message of the aromatics is: come back later. The palate is medium-bodied with a gentle grip, sultry and broody, somehow quite intriguing, a saturnine Saint Emilion that may be interesting to revisit in a decade's time, since there is appreciable depth and structure here. Tightly-coiled, long-term, serious. Tasted January 2016.

Vinous

93 / 100

par Antonio Galloni le 31/01/2016

The 2012 Angélus is an attractive wine, although it is lacking in the weight, tannin and overall intensity that are such signatures here. As such, the 2012 will drink well with minimal cellaring. Hints of dark red cherry, plum, spices, new leather and menthol are layered in the delicate finish. The 2012 is 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc.

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/2015

The 2012 Angélus (55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc) is inky bluish purple in color and exhibits blueberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with some licorice, charcoal and graphite. It is full-bodied, ripe, and a great, great success for this estate. The tannins are silky and soft, and the wine can be drunk now or over the next 15 or more years. Very tiny yields of 34 hectoliters per hectare rendered a wine with 14.5% alcohol. Drink: 2015 - 2030

Jamessuckling.com

93 / 100

par James Suckling le 15/02/2015

Wet earth, blackberry and blue berry character on the nose. Full body, chewy tannins and a tangy finish. Needs time to soften. Tight and structured red. Better in 2018.

Wine Spectator

94 / 100

par James Molesworth le 10/02/2015

Dark and intense, with vivid tobacco and espresso notes coursing through, while the core of dark fig, black currant and blackberry fruit sits in reserve. Extra charcoal, burnished leather and warm stone notes all add range and texture on the finish, while a bolt of iron keeps everything pinned down. Needs a bit of time to soak up its oak. Best from 2018 through 2030. 9,165 cases made. –JM

timatkin.com

93 / 100

par Tim Atkin MW le 30/06/2013

Hubert de Bouärd said that the pricing decision for his 2012, post-promotion in the Saint Emilion classification, was one of the hardest he has ever made. My feeling is that, while the wine is good, it doesn’t quite reflect the hike. It’s an ambitious Angélus with lashings of toasty oak, good concentration, focus and plenty of fruit, but it seems a tad figgy and over-ripe. Drink: 2020-35

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

91-94 / 100

par Ian D'Agata le 30/06/2013

(55% merlot and 45% cabernet franc): Deep, glass-staining purple-ruby. Knockout nose is redolent of fresh cassis, plum, minerals and sweet, spicy oak. Dense and suave, with very precise flavors of plum, blackberry, blueberry and minerals. Finishes very long, with repeating notes of blueberry and violets and chocolatey oak. The use of oak here isn't shy, but at least the wood is well integrated. One of the better wines of the vintage. Readers probably know that Angelus was finally elevated to Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe "A" status, a testament to the work and dedication of owner Hubert de Bouard de Laforest.

Le Point

16-16,5 / 20

par Jacques Dupont le 16/05/2013

Fruits noirs, bouche tannique, puissante, beaucoup de mâche, et de tanins large, assez fortement extrait, dans son style habituel : costaud mais sans exagération dans la recher de maturité. O= 2017 G= 15 ans

Asian Palate

92 / 100

par Jeannie Cho Lee MW le 15/05/2013

Opulent and sweet with gorgeous layers of sweet plum and blackberry fruit. The tannins are generous but very well managed with supple, velvety texture. The wine possess a seamless character from the front of the palate to the finish. The nose is especially attractive with sweet spices and flowers along with dark fruits. Approachable but will benefit from at least 8+ years in bottle.

Le Figaro

4,5 / 5

par Bernard Burtschy le 08/05/2013

Un Angélus noir comme d'habitude avec du volume, des tannins très présents, une finale légèrement sèche sur une structure élégante avec, comme toujours, une belle intensité du fruit.

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

par Neal Martin le 06/05/2013

A blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc, picked from 8th October and 19th October, affected by the rains on the final days. They have not used optical sorting machine since the 2009 vintage, and use the Winery de pellanc, the Mistral (fan-blower) and a long vibrating table. I have to say straight away that I find much more clarity on the bouquet here than on the primeur sample of the 2011 this time last year - bright blackberry, raspberry leaf and minerals with hints of violet underneath. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, quite sturdy tannins, crisp acidity, very fine focus and good precision on the finish. This could turn out to be one of the best wines of the appellation. Excellent. Tasted April 2013.

matthewjukes.com

18 / 20

par Matthew Jukes le 30/04/2013

With a lashing of oak and arresting tannins this is a statement wine, but there is hugely attractive fruit, too.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

17,25 / 20

par Jean-Marc Quarin le 29/04/2013

Couleur sombre, intense, belle et pourpre. Nez très fruité, mûr, fumé, pur et même parfumé. Belle entrée en bouche, caressante, finement moelleuse. Le vin se développe sur un toucher fin avec du goût. Milieu riche, finement plein et pourtant fondant. Très belle finale savoureuse et longue avec du goût, des tannins fins, séveux et longs. C'est superbe ! Assemblage 55 % merlot et 45 % cabernet franc.

My Bettane + Desseauve

18,5 / 20

le 27/04/2013

Très beau tannin magnifié dans le millésime avec une puissance langoureuse. Construit pour la garde avec un savoir-faire unique, le vin est déjà en phase charmeuse, c’est sa marque de fabrique.

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

par Julia Harding MW le 26/04/2013

Drink 2022-2035
Inky with black core. Sweet charred oak is the first impression. And the second. But there is finesse to the tannins and some nice (hidden) dark fruit. Firm grip on the finish and just about fresh, though it is very hard to judge this wine now when the oak is all dominant. Tannin texture is very fine and I am sure this will become elegant if you can be patient enough and wait for the oak to subside. Too oaky for my taste but I know it will be admired by others. (JH)

Wine Advocate

94-96 / 100

par Robert Parker le 26/04/2013

Owned by Hubert de Bouard, the 2012 Angelus was harvested between October 8-18, yields were 34 hectoliters per hectare, and the natural alcohol was over 14%. The final blend was 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the superstars of the vintage, the dense opaque purple/blue-colored 2012 offers up notes of barbecue smoke, graphite, charcoal, blueberries, blackberries, sweet cherries and forest floor. With terrific fruit intensity, a powerful, layered, multidimensional mouthfeel and full body, it should be drinkable at an early age given the sweetness of the tannin. It should easily evolve for 15-20 years.
Drink: 2013 - 2033

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94 / 100

par Jeff Leve le 26/04/2013

From a blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc, the wine shows good depth of color. Smoke, truffle, espresso bean, blackberries, earth and spice create the aromatics. Medium/full-bodied in density, there is a core of dark spicy plums in the finish. 92-94 Pts

Decanter.com

18 / 20

le 22/04/2013

More elegance and less power this year. Modern in concept but not a blockbuster. Fragrant and fresh on the nose. Palate ripe and round. Fine tannic frame. 18/20pts ( 93/100pts)
Drink: 2020 - 2032
Taster: James Lawther MW