Tasting Notes
Robert Parker 96
The 2019 Angelus bursts from the glass with a rich, dramatic nose of cherries, licorice, sweet spices and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, layered and vibrant, its broad and velvety attack segues into a layered, concentrated mid-palate that’s underpinned by tangy acids and fine, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. It’s a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Its seamless, pure profile reflects the subtle shift chez Angelus away from the rich, toasty style of the 1990s and 2000s toward greater elegance and precision.
Anticipated maturity: 2026-2055
Vinous 96
The 2019 Angélus is absolutely brilliant. Rich and driving in intensity, yet also light on its feet for such a big wine, Angélus has a ton to offer in 2019. Red/purplish fruit licorice, new leather, cinnamon, grilled herbs and lavender add striking layers of character nuance. The 2019 is super-elegant and precise, but with all of the textural richness readers have come to expect from Angélus. The blend is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, with the Franc quite expressive, especially in the wine’s aromatic profile. One of the recent developments has been a move towards a greater use of cask for the Franc, an approach that has so far paid off handsomely. Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal described 2019 as a year marked by an alternation of hot days and cool nights, with the most severe heat in June. PHs were lower across the board than in 2018. I was especially impressed by the No. 3 de Angélus and Le Carillon d’Angélus, which seem to benefit from the strong year and a new winemaking facility dedicated to their production. As for the Grand Vin, well it is truly Grand.