Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninfirm
Aciditymedium
Sweetnessdry
Oaknew oak

Drinking window

Best 12 to 35 years from vintage.
vintage12 yrs35 yrs37 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninMedium acidityDryLong, Velvety With Dark-Fruit Persistence finish

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.

  1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. 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.

  1. 1969: First classification as Premier Grand Cru Classe B
  2. 1985: Hubert de Bouard assumes management; transformation of quality begins
  3. 2012: Promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classe A in the revised classification
  4. 2018: Conversion to organic farming across all 42 hectares
  5. 2021: Ecocert organic certification obtained; withdrawal from classification announced

Facts

Producer
Chateau Angelus · visiting guide
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).

Tags

cabernet franc cellar worthy cult wine dry firm tannin full body grand cru iconic medium acid merlot mood bold mood elegant occasion cellar occasion gift occasion special old world organic pairs with game pairs with poultry pairs with red meat pairs with truffles price luxury still red

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