Chateau Angelus Saint Emilion 2011
(Bordeaux, France) - [DM 95] [TWI 95] [JS 94] [F 94] [WA 94] [VM 94] [JD 94]

About the Winery:
Château Angélus is known for its complex, structured and particularly elegant wines, whose refinement is only matched by the family passion that gave them birth. The estate has been owned by the Boüard de Laforest family since the Domaine de Mazerat was bequeathed to Comte Maurice de Boüard de Laforest in 1910. It was expanded by the acquisition of Clos de L'Angélus in 1922 by Elisabeth Bouchet his wife and a plot from Château Beau-Séjour Bécot in 1969. The name refers to the three Angelus bells audible from the vineyards, coming from the chapel at Mazerat, the church in Saint-Martin de Mazerat and Saint-Émilion. The château also produces a second wine named Carillon d’Angélus (since 1987) and a third wine, No. 3 d’Angélus.

Château Angélus was designated a Grand Cru Classé when the Saint-Émilion classification was created in 1955, due to its already outstanding reputation. In 2012, it reached the pinnacle, achieving the title of Premier Grand Cru Classé "A," a distinction it held until the 2021 vintage. In early 2022, the Domaine opted to withdraw from the classification, the next edition of which was scheduled to be officially announced in September of that year. Consequently, from the 2022 vintage onward, the Château Angélus label will only bear the Grand Cru de Saint-Émilion designation. 

About the Wine:
Château Angélus is planted in a 27-hectare vineyard, on slopes with clay soils, as well as on pied-de-côte with clay-limestone soils. The grape varieties are 50% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines are aged for 18 to 22 months in French oak barrels.

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Fine tannins, this is elegant and finessed, with cool blueberry and raspberry fruits, touches of orange peel, rose petal and slate. Well balanced, precise and well crafted, with a shot of espresso and cocoa bean on the finish. This is just beginning to be ready to drink if given a good few hours in a carafe." – Jane Anson (Nov 2021)

95 Points - The Wine Independent: 
"A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2011 Angelus is medium to deep garnet in color, with a touch of brick. It opens with a very minty nose, before giving way to a core of raspberry preserves, dark chocolate, baked plums, and black cherry compote, plus hints of fertile loam and star anise. Full-bodied, the palate is bursting with mint-laced black and red berry layers, textured by plush tannins and a beguiling line of freshness, finishing long and lifted." – LPB (Feb 2024)

94 Points - James Suckling:
"Intense nose of redcurrant and bramble jelly. Gains a lot of herbal and earthy complexity with some aeration. Very satisfying balance of full, powdery tannins and restrained richness. Quite sweet entry, but this turns decisively dry at the long, straight and elegant finish. Hint of warmth from alcohol, but this is part of the style. Drink or hold. Château Quintus vertical tasting." (May 2022)

94 Points - Falstaff:
"Dark ruby garnet, violet reflections, delicate rim. Dark berry fruit underpinned with sweet spice notes, subtle hints of licorice and dark forest berry jam, a fine touch of nougat. Ripe cherries, chocolatey texture, present, well-integrated tannins that are still somewhat demanding, extract-sweet finish, good aging potential, needs another five years or so before it should be drunk." (Aug 2014)

94 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2011 Angelus is another winner from Hubert de Bouard. Supple and sexy with lots of blueberry and black raspberry fruit intermixed with licorice, barbecue smoke and camphor, this medium to full-bodied, supple-textured, sexy effort offers delicious drinking now, and promises to become even better over the next decade. It should keep for 15 or more years." – Robert Parker (Apr 2014)

94 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2011 Angélus has a lovely bouquet with ample red fruit, fireside hearth/ash and a touch of Earl Grey. Fine definition and lift here. The palate is very well balanced with supple tannins, fine bead of acidity, quite sensual for the growing season with a judicious plushness and a sense of breeding on the finish. Superb. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting." – Neal Martin (Apr 2022)

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"From a vintage that is slowly coming around and drinking well, the 2011 Angelus offers a beautiful elegance and purity as well as the ripe, sexy style of the estate. Based on 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc brought up in new barrels, it's still ruby colored and offers ample blackcurrants, spice box, dried earth as well as medium to full body, beautiful balance, sweet tannins, and a great finish. A terrific wine from this estate, it will continue drinking nicely for another two decades or more." (Jun 2019)