Bordeaux 2018c Vintage Special-Chateau Angelus 2017 tasting notes and ratings

With Hubert de Boüard de Laforest and the next generation at Angelus

Chateau Angélus is a bit hidden just outside of Saint Emilion. It has been said that in the old days on this property you could hear the åchurch bells of no less than three churches sounding the Angélus (a Roman Catholic prayer). And that is why the chateau is called Angélus. Not many Bordeaux chateaux have managed to remain family-owned over the years. Angélus is still owned by one of Bordeaux’s oldest wine families, the family de Boüard de Laforest. It is the eighth generation that has started working here but it remains Hubert de Boüard de Laforest who makes the wine. I tasted at Angélus with co-owner, Jean Bernard Grenié.

Carillon d’Angélus 2017 (18- points)
[90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc]

Angélus was touched by the frost and lost 4ha of the 14ha used to produce their wine. Brilliant deep ruby with some purple towards the rim. On the nose the wines shows a very agreeable fruit tones with a good complexity.
On the palate it is the expression of the fruit that draws the attention. More precision in the fruit than in the previous vintages. Good tannic structure and a good length for what used to be the second wine. I feel that the Carillion is reaching a new level of quality. This is in line with the aim of Angélus, to develop the Carillion. This is why they will be building a new chai especially dedicated to the Carillon to take this wine to the next level.

Chateau Angélus 2017 (19,5 points)

Chateau Angélus 2017 (19,5 points)
[70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc]

A deep ruby red color. A superb complex nose. The wine is aged in 100% new oak, but you can’t tell this from the nose, which is very good.
On the palate this wine is no longer on the power but on the freshness and the elegance. Beautiful ripe fruit. The soft silky tannins are well-integrated and will be the backbone for the ageing. Very long indeed. The wine remains with you for a long time. I am tasting and discussing with Jean-Bernard Grenié and we both forget to spit this superb Angélus. And we both have no regrets because this is an excellent wine.