Chateau Angelus 2021

WEINWISSER: "Der grandiose Angélus 2021 bestätigt seine hohe Bewertung und wurde nach der Abfüllung nur von Cheval Blanc und Figeac knapp überholt. Mit 60 % hat der 2021er Angélus den bislang höchsten Cabernet- Franc-Anteil und verfügt daher über einen besonderen Charakter. Schwarzer Farbkern, intensiv. Supersaftig, reif und mit enormer, liköriger Ansprache, duftet der jugendliche Angélus reichhaltig nach Pflaume, Graphit und Schokolade. Im Mund hat er eine noble, superweite, hochdifferenzierte, ewig lange Struktur, die vom hohen Cabernet-Anteil deutlich transparenter und sehr komplex erscheint. Ein großer Angélus, der einfach nicht loslässt, mit extrem festem Händedruck und ewiger Spannung, sowie grandioser Energie und Frische. Dieser Wein wird ewig frisch und präsent erscheinen, mit likörigem, langem Nachhall und feinen, rosinigen Reflexen. Grandios. 13.5 Vol.-%."

DECANTER: "Rich and dense aromatics, lovely black cherry and dried flowers, the Cabernet Franc bringing all the aromas. Supple and smooth, so alive in the mouth yet this has density and depth, something to chew on. It’s not plush, but there’s texture from start to finish, with delicacy and finesse to the expression. A highly drinkable Angélus that has really benefited from dialling back on the power. Great freshness and precision, while feeling as if it will age well. Impressively keeps the structure and density but with energy."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot, the 2021 Angelus has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. It needs a little swirling to coax out notes of wild blueberries, Bing cherries, fresh blackberries, and lilacs, leading to an undercurrent of cedar and lavender. The medium-bodied palate is tightly knit with beautiful tension defining the red berry and floral layers, complemented by a fine-grained texture, finishing long and fragrant. Wonderfully graceful!"

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "The wine has perfumed Cabernet Franc aromas with violet, spice and touches of black-fruit tannins. Smoky with tannins, a serious, dense structure and succulent richness, the wine is powerful, impressively rich, ready to drink from 2028."

JAMES SUCKLING: "This is so delicious, with lovely focused cherries, flowers, dried sandalwood and some Indian spices. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and just a touch of wood to the pure fruit and a subtle and refined finish. 40% merlot and 60% cabernet franc, the most cab franc in a long time."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2021 Angélus unwinds in the glass to reveal aromas of dark berries, plums and cherries mingled with rose petals, forest floor, spices and pencil shavings, framed by creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, layered and vibrant, it's taut and structured, with a deep core of fruit, chalky tannins and a long, perfumed, vanillin-inflected finish. As readers will remember, it's a blend of fully 60% Cabernet Franc with 40% Merlot, incorporating foudres in addition to 225-liter barriques, and the rich, toasty oak signature of yesteryear is now firmly in the background, even if the wine still carries a youthful patina. The 2021's classically balanced profile will reward a bit of bottle age."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2021 Château Angélus is based on 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot brought up all in new oak, with 50% of the Cabernet Franc in foudre. It has a gorgeous perfume of black raspberries, wildflowers, darker cherries, graphite, and lead pencil that evolves beautifully with time in the glass. Medium-bodied, elegant, and all about finesse and refinement, it has perfectly integrated oak, ultra-fine tannins, and outstanding length. The harvest here spanned from September 17 to October 2, and it hit 13.5% alcohol and 3.65 pH."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Frische Preiselbeeren, reife Weichselfrucht, Nuancen von Brombeeren, ein Hauch von schwarzem Pfeffer, kandierte Orangenzesten. Straff, rotbeerig, gute Dichte, feine, reife Tannine, frische Struktur, rote Kirschen und Johannisbeeren im Abgang, zeigt große Länge, sicheres Reifepotenzial."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Dark, bright hue. Discreet floral aromas. Big tannic frame with a chunk of polished tannins. Long and digeste but very embryonic, the oak still apparent. Hopefully the fruit will continue to match the structure."