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.
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