In the glass
Aroma: ripe black cherry, dark plum, violets, cedar, sweet spice
Palate: cassis, dark chocolate, licorice, graphite, toasty oak
Merlot and Cabernet Franc from 27 classified hectares at the foot of Saint-Emilion's slope. Generous, opulent and structured, with dark cherry, violets and cedar complexity; certified organic from the 2021 vintage.
What it pairs with
-
Roast beef ribeye with bordelaise sauce
The wine's dark-fruit density and firm tannin is the textbook match for marbled beef with red-wine reduction. -
Slow-roasted duck with cherry glaze
Cherry fruit in the glaze mirrors the wine's dark cherry core; duck fat integrates the velvety tannins. -
Lamb shoulder with eggplant
Smoky vegetable notes find a peer in the wine's cedar and spice; lamb's gaminess is softened by ripe Merlot. -
Truffled risotto
Earthy black truffle echoes cedar and graphite; the wine's body supports the dish's richness.
How to serve Chateau Angelus
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Roast beef ribeye with bordelaise sauce, Slow-roasted duck with cherry glaze, Lamb shoulder with eggplant. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Chateau Angelus traces its origins to a 16th-century estate, though the modern high-quality era begins under Hubert de Bouard de Laforest, who took charge in 1985. The estate was classified as Grand Cru Classe B in 1969 and promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classe A in 2012. Organic farming began in 2018, with Ecocert certification obtained in 2021. In 2021 the estate announced its withdrawal from all future Saint-Emilion classifications, effective from the 2022 vintage. Stephanie de Bouard-Rivoal is co-owner and CEO.
- 1969 — First classification as Premier Grand Cru Classe B
- 1985 — Hubert de Bouard assumes management; transformation of quality begins
- 2012 — Promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classe A in the revised classification
- 2018 — Conversion to organic farming across all 42 hectares
- 2021 — Ecocert organic certification obtained; withdrawal from classification announced
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau Angelus
- Grapes
- Merlot (55%), Cabernet Franc (45%)
- Classification
- Saint-Emilion Grand Cru (withdrew from Premier Grand Cru Classe A from 2022 vintage; certified organic 2021)
- Oak
- 18-24 months in 100% new French oak; 50% of Cabernet Franc portion aged in neutral foudres from recent vintages for freshness
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Production
- 102,000 bottles
- Price
- EUR 350-550 at retail
- Drinking window
- 12-35 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1988
- Organic
- ECOCERT
Frequently asked about Chateau Angelus
What does Chateau Angelus taste like?
On the nose, ripe black cherry, dark plum, violets, cedar, sweet spice. On the palate, cassis, dark chocolate, licorice, graphite, toasty oak. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, medium acidity with a long, velvety with dark-fruit persistence finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc from 27 classified hectares at the foot of Saint-Emilion's slope. Generous, opulent and structured, with dark cherry, violets and cedar complexity; certified organic from the 2021 vintage.
When should I drink Chateau Angelus?
Drink 12-35 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Chateau Angelus?
Roast beef ribeye with bordelaise sauce is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Slow-roasted duck with cherry glaze and Lamb shoulder with eggplant. The wine's dark-fruit density and firm tannin is the textbook match for marbled beef with red-wine reduction.
What grapes are in Chateau Angelus?
The blend is Merlot (55%), Cabernet Franc (45%). The wine is classified as Saint-Emilion Grand Cru (withdrew from Premier Grand Cru Classe A from 2022 vintage; certified organic 2021).