Château Angélus - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1989

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/01/2015

Possibly not showing as well as a bottle I had recently from my own cellar, this particular offering, which was about 50% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot, has a dark plum/purple color, but is still quite youthful. A beautiful sweet blueberry and blackberry-scented nose of olive, licorice and cedar wood is followed by a full-bodied and opulent wine, with hints of espresso roast and chocolate as well. It seemed to gain a lot in the glass, but the astringent tannins in the finish still seem a bit awkward and distracting. I think bottles I’ve had have generally shown better, although this is certainly an exceptional wine. It has just suffered somewhat in comparison with several of the other vintages. Drink now to 2030. 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

97 / 100

par Neal Martin le 31/03/2012

Tasted at Farr Vintners’ vertical from ex-chateau magnum. One of the finest vintages made at the estate, the Chateau Angelus 1989 has a very intense, powerful bouquet with blackberry, cedar, cooked meat and a little Christmas cake. Whereas the 1990 gives you everything up front, the 1989 is far more coquettish and takes time to unfold. The palate is very smooth on the entry, beautifully balanced with filigree tannins. There is an edginess to the 1989, much more feminine with a touch of truffle, coca and pepper on the finish. Wonderful, a wine at its peak, although it shows no signs of flagging. Tasted October 2011.

Wine Spectator

95 / 100

par James Suckling le 01/04/2010

Wow. What a reserved, yet seductive nose of milk chocolate, raspberry and mineral aromas that go on and on. Full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a mineral, berry, blackberry and violet flavor. This is polished and racy on the palate. So young still. Why wait? But serious and classic.—'89/'99 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2009). Drink now.

Wine Advocate

97 / 100

par Neal Martin le 01/07/2007

A similar hue to the Chateau L’Angelus 1990 although the nose is more open, fleshier and expressive (though not as well defined.) Smoke, cooked meats, a touch of burning embers, tobacco and a touch of mint. The full-bodied palate is beautifully balanced; more rounded than the 1990, very complex, perhaps more intellectual than the 1990 with raspberry, a touch of lemongrass, spice, touch of bitter chocolate. Less opulence and richness on the finish with a refined, elegant finish. Everything you could really want a Saint Emilion to be. Stunning. Drink 2015-2035. Tasted July 2007.

Wine Advocate

96 / 100

par Robert Parker le 01/01/2003

A great Angelus and one of the two or three best vintages made under the talented young Hubert de Bouard, this wine still has a youthful, saturated ruby/purple color and a sweet nose of melted licorice intermixed with creme de cassis, tapenade, cedar, spice box, and vanilla. Very full-bodied, opulent, and rich, it is one of the 1989s that justifies the lofty reputation of this vintage. Extremely full-bodied, this wine can be drunk now or cellared for at least another 10-15 years. Anticipated maturity: Now-2015. Last tasted, 4/02.

Wine Spectator

94 / 100

par James Suckling le 31/05/1999

A young, very modern and sleek '89. Inky color. Wonderful aromas of spices, blackberries, cinnamon and vanilla. Full-bodied, with loads of silky tannins and a long, berry-cherry aftertaste. Just how I remember it.--1989 Bordeaux horizontal. Best after 2005. –

Wine Advocate

96 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/1997

This chateau has been turning out such spectacular wines that it is not surprising it was elevated in the recent reclassification of St.-Emilion. Any Bordeaux lover would be thrilled to have either of the 1989 or 1990 in his or her cellar. Both wines reveal an opaque purple color, with the 1990 slightly more inky. Both wines are also exceptionally endowed, backward, rich, full-bodied, and crammed with fruit. The 1989 possesses a huge finish, with more noticeable tannin than in the 1990. Picking a favorite between these two fabulous examples of their respective vintages is - for me - presently impossible. I will probably end up drinking the 1990 before the 1989, but both wines are 25-30-year wines, with the 1989 possibly reaching full maturity in 5-6 years, and the 1990 needing several more years of cellaring.

Wine Advocate

/ 100

par Robert Parker le 31/10/1994

A Possible Legend Candidate (91-94) Consistently rated between 91 and 94.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

par Robert Parker le 31/08/1993

The 1989 is opaque black/ruby/purple, with a huge bouquet of smoky vanillin oak, olives, cassis, and grilled nuts. It has sensational extract, full body, superb balance, and a fascinatingly long finish that must last for at least one minute. This is a power wine that is slightly softer and less powerful than the 1990. Anticipated maturity: 1995-2008. Last tasted, 6/93.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/1993

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/1992

do not think anyone can doubt that l'Angelus is one of the up and coming superstars, not only in St.-Emilion, but in all of Bordeaux. The 1989 is opaque black/ruby/purple, with a huge bouquet of smoky vanillin oak, olives, cassis, and grilled nuts. In the mouth, it has sensational extract, full body, superb balance, and a fascinating long finish that must last for at least one minute. This is a great wine that was put in the bottle without fining or filtering - rather amazing in high-tech Bordeaux! An absolutely splendid effort that should not be missed, l'Angelus is the wine of St.-Emilion in 1989! Anticipated maturity: 1995-2008. Tasted eight times. Consistent notes.

Wine Advocate

94-96 / 100

par Robert Parker le 28/02/1992

While there will be many top wines from the right bank, prices will be considerably higher for the limited production gems of Pomerol and St.-Emilion. One wine that is a must purchase is the 1989 L'Angelus. It was bottled unfiltered and unfined - a rarity in Bordeaux. At present, it is behaving as if it wants to be the Lynch-Bages of St.-Emilion. Its opaque black/ruby/purple color and huge nose of smoked meat, new oak, cassis, and herbs is followed by a wine with mammoth concentration and colossal richness and size. While it is short on finesse at the moment, it is undeniably the greatest wine I have ever tasted from this up and coming St.-Emilion estate. Give it another 5-6 years to pull itself together. I tasted it several times next to Cheval Blanc and Figeac (both of which I find marginally disappointing) and it was my favorite. Given its lavish richness and lush texture, it will be tempting to drink this wine early, but it will last for 20-25 years.