Chateau Angelus 2023

WEINWISSER: "60 % Merlot, 40 % Cabernet Franc, 13.8 Vol.-%, Hubert de Bouard fügt schmunzelnd 14.0 Vol.-% an. Sehr komplexes Bouquet, Cassiswürze, tasmanischer Bergpfeffer und Schwarzkirsche, dahinter Kakaopuder, getrocknete Rosenblätter und Blutorangenzeste. Am sublimen Gaumen mit samtiger Textur, tänzerischer feinnerviger Rasse, engmaschigem Tanninkorsett und durchtrainiertem Körper, sehr straff und geradlinig, bleibt dabei rein und klar. Im vibrierenden Finale mit einem Korb von roten und blauen Beeren, Graphit und edler Bitterness. Gehört in seiner Klasse zu den Besten und kann noch zulegen."

JAMES SUCKLING: "The transparency of fruit and the finesse is really something here. There’s depth and beauty to the pristine, fresh fruit. Full-bodied and muscular with wonderful tannins that provide tension and form. Subtle and weightless, this is a thought-provoking young wine. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc."

DECANTER: "Gorgeous nose, floral and scented with roses and violets, expressive strawberries and raspberries and some herbal elements. Full and filling, but soft and smooth, almost crushed velvet in texture. It’s not so tense and straight but has a solid backbone of freshness and plush fruit but very cool. It’s more on the structured side than overt acidity, serious but still with crunchy blueberries, chalky blackcurrant, lots of graphite and minerality on the finish. Less fruit forward than some but layered with complexity - a subtle opulence. Fleshy ripe tannins with mouthwatering acidity adding a serious touch. It’s missing that Angelus hug on the mid palate, but I like it a lot and you can’t fault the refinement and precision on show. It’s got body, length, tannins, crunch, freshness, and a vein of minerality underpinning the expression. 3.65pH. Harvest September 14 to October 1."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Feinwürzig unterlegte schwarze Herzkirschen, Brombeeren, ein Hauch von Edelholz, zarte florale Nuancen, kandierte Orangenzesten. Komplex, saftig, elegant, feine Tannine, gute Frische, extraktsüßer Abgang, mineralisch und lange anhaftend, ein straffer, finessenreicher Speisenbegleiter mit sicherem Zukunftspotenzial. Schlägt stilistisch eine neues delikates Kapitel für Angelus auf."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Angelus has a pH of 3.65 and is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a little shaking to bring forth an eruption of energetic scents of wild blueberries, Morello cherries, and ripe plums, followed by nuances of cedar chest, clove oil, cinnamon stick, and violets, with a touch of garrigue. The medium-bodied palate is so, so finely knit with a mille-feuille of red, black, and blue fruit layers interspersed with mineral and floral notes, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and earthy. It will need time but it will be a jaw-dropper!"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "The nose pops with its bouquet of flowers, mint, tobacco leaf, licorice, and black cherries, The essence in this wine it its purity balanced with its racy, freshness. The finish delivers soft, long, energetic, red berries with nuances of espresso, chalk, crushed stone, cherries, plums, and cocoa. There is depth, and concentration but the wine feels light on its feet. The Cabernet Franc makes an impression in 2023. The team was nervous about the vintage until the first days in September before they knew the vintage was going to be special. The key to the vintage was in part due to longer fermentations at cooler temperatures, which never rose above 22 Celsius, along with no sulfur during the fermentations which aided the wines elegance and purity. The wine blends 60% Merlot, with 40% Cabernet Franc. 14.5% ABV, 3.65 pH. Harvesting took place, September 6 - September 28. Drink from 2029-2060."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A classic blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Angélus reflects this estate's continuing evolution with regard to ripeness, extraction and élevage choices, offering up attractive aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with hints of mint, potpourri, rose petals, vine smoke and orange zest. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and supple, with a velvety attack that segues into a core of pure, pillowy fruit framed by supple, powdery tannins, it's cool and harmonious, concluding with a long, perfumed finish. This is a terrific effort that foregrounds the vintage and the terroir at their best."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2023 Château Angélus is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc that’s fermented in its individual parcels and isn't blended until very late. It's very much in the more fresh, focused, precise style of this château and has a beautiful nose of ripe black raspberries, cassis, spicy wood, melted crayons, and tobacco. This carries to a medium to full-bodied Angélus with remarkable purity, ultra-fine tannins, and beautiful overall balance. It's certainly not the biggest or richest Angélus, but it has incredible purity, focus, and elegance."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Deep purple hue. Complex nose with floral and dark-fruit notes. Rich, smooth and dense on the palate, the tannins fine but firm and tightly wound. Exudes a certain power and austerity at the moment but clearly built to age. Drink 2032 – 2048"