x
  • Country ranking ?

    271
  • Producer ranking ?

    6
  • Decanting time

    3h
  • When to drink

    from 2020
  • Food Pairing

    Roast meat

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

Close

2015 was a blessed, dreamt-of year, with favourable weather conditions from spring to harvest. Each step took place under ideal conditions: flowering was even, and then the necessary rainfall for the growth of the vines came before the very dry months of June and July. Véraison went like a wonder. The pips started to ripen very early. August, with some timely rains and mild temperatures, allowed the vine to develop well and for the grapes to ripen in a balanced way. The fine days and cool nights in September, accompanied by some showers, favoured the ripening of the tannins. 


The grapes were simply magnificent, a rare and sublime moment.  The perfect state of health in the vineyard and the superb weather conditions of early autumn allowed us to harvest magnificent grapes as and when we wanted... over nearly a month! 
The Merlot from Angélus were picked from September 22, ripe but not overripe, crisp, fruity with a lot of freshness. 
Cabernet Franc, a gem for Angélus, was also magnificent, and was picked from October 8. Here, even if it is not the dominant variety, it accounts for almost half of the area planted. It brings elegance, finesse and depth, with a silky note, and greatly contributes to enhancing this new vintage.

Harvest: 22nd September to 14th October

Blend: 62 % Merlot, 38 % Cabernet Franc

Close

The Story

Château Angelus is one of the largest and most prestigious St-Emilion estates and was promoted to1er grand cru classé status in the 1996 St-Emilion reclassification. Since 2012 ranked Premier grand cru classé (A) in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine. Passionately managed for over four generations, Angelus is owned and run by two cousins, Hubert de Boüard de Laforest, andJean-Bernard Grenie and is located in the centre-west of the St-Emilion appellation, due west of St-Emilion town.

 Chateau Angelus, which has been making wine in St-Emilion for almost 250 years, is still considered "new" for that appellation. It was founded by, and has always been run by, the de Bouard family. The name "Angelus" means the ringing of bells to commemorate a catholic devotion, and the workers in the Chateau Angelus vineyards can hear the bells ringing from three nearby churches...thus how the winery got its name. Although the quality of the wine has had some rough years, the quality of the terroir is one of the best in St-Emilion. And with some key education and talent emerging from the de Bouard family in the past 40 years, the winery is now realizing its potential and has rocketed to one of the top, most sought-after labels in the region. A blend of the merlot and cab franc, from perfectly balanced soils of limestone and clay, the real Cindarella story of Chateau Angelus in not the world class terroir or fruit, but of the winemaking practices that have been put in place over the past 40 years. Hubert de Boüard de Laforest joined the family business at Angélus in 1976 and proceeded to make several modernizing changes to the vinification that allows him more control over the quality. Under his management, and the consultancy of oenologist Michel Rolland, the estate has been consistently moving up in its classifications, eventually attaining Premier grand cru classe A in 2012. The style of Chateau Angelus is lush, dense and creamy, but also elegant, classy and pure with lots of freshness. There is a second wine, called Le Carillon d’Angélus, and a third wine, called No. 3 d’Angélus. You can see the bell, the Angelus, represented in the Chateau's label, cork, case and capsule markings, as well as in the elaborate sculpture that installed in the back of the main building. It makes it easy for you to imagine being transported to this majestic Bordeaux vineyard, hearing the bells ringing, smelling the sweet grapes, and feeling the sun warming you and the soil under your feet.

Close

Wine Information

Since the mid 1980's, Angélus, under the dynamic leadership of Hubert de Bouard, has been one of the superstars of Saint Emilion, producing modern-style, deep, concentrated and ripe wines full of richness and fruit. In 2012 Angelus (along with Pavie) joined Ausone and Cheval Blanc in achieving first growth status. A fitting achievement for the hard work and consistent results here recently. The vineyard is planted 50:50 Cabernet Franc and Merlot but in 2015 the blend is 62% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc. Deep purple colour, with an inky viscosity. Aromatic and spicy on the nose with black cherry, blackberry and clove. Intense vanilla and cedar notes lift a ripe and intense nose. The palate is powerful, dense and concentrated with kirsch, cassis and menthol framed by mouthcoating, firm tannins. This is a full bodied style with superb complexity and length. Despite the underlying power and spicy oak there is a lifted freshness to retain a mineral edge to further elevate this impressive Angelus.

Score: 18 Farr Vintners, March 2016

The 2015 Angelus is a blend of 62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Franc, picked from 22 September finishing on 14 October. "We found a nice homogeneity with the Merlot lots," I was told when I visited. "The old Cabernet Franc was very nice, but the younger vines were blended into the second label. This year, it is especially the Merlot that lends a lot of harmony to the wine. This year, the Merlot have some of the qualities of the Cabernet Franc, the precision and freshness. They give the generosity and sweetness." The wine was aged in 100% new oak at 11 degrees Celsius so they could add less sulfur to keep the freshness of the aromas and maintain the elegance of the wine. It offers a complex array of aromas such as black cherry, camphor, oyster shells and Japanese nori, beautifully defined and very focused. The palate is medium-bodied but powerful with layer of svelte tannins and a keen thread of acidity; layers of black fruit laced with spices, baking powder, mint and white pepper. It feels long in the mouth, insistently clinging for a minute after the wine has departed. Oh là là. This is a sexy, but compelling Angelus, fit for "007" and wine-lovers everywhere. Drink: 2025 - 2060

Score: 95/97 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (224), April 2016

This shows the purity of Angelus. I have never tasted a wine from here with such incredible clarity. Full body, full fruit and full beauty. Super silky tannins. A joy to taste. Makes you want to drink it. 62% merlot and 38% cabernet franc.

Score: 99/100 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2016

In 2015, Angélus is 62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Franc. It is also one of the most powerful, vertical wines of the vintage. A rush of sweet floral and spice notes appear first, before waves of intense, inky/purplish fruit take hold of all the senses. The tannins need time to soften, probably quite a bit of time, but there is no denying the wine's sheer beauty. I came back to the 2015 several hours later and found a wine that had blossomed beautifully with air. The 2015 will be magnificent once the tannins soften. Readers will have to be patient, as that is likely to take a decade-plus to happen.

Score: 94/96 Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, April 2016

Power and depth on the nose the palate has black fruits cassis and black cherry backed by dark chocolate. Velvety smooth supple the tannins are fine the ripe fruit giving a sumptuous richness and although sweet and ripe at the back the finish is streamlined spicy and mineral. 2024-40

Score: 95/97 Derek Smedley MW, DerekSmedleyMW.co.uk, April 2016

Higher in alcohol than the 2014, but much more refined, this is a wine that’s made to last, showing plenty of oak and abundant fruit flavours supported by acidity and filigree tannins. Complex, spicy and aromatic, with lovely barrel integration and a poised, full-bodied finish. One of the best Angélus of recent years. Drink: 2022-35

Score: 96 Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2016

Extremely dark purplish crimson. Light nose but masses of sweet concentration on the palate. Nothing exaggerated. Just rather drying tannins on the end at the moment. Like Carillon d'Angélus, it has a slight bitterness on the finish but has clearly been made with no shortage of ambition. For the long term. Drink 2027-2040

Score: 17.5 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2016

Very deep and very dark, this wine seems to flirt with danger but it confidently manages to avoid any mishaps. The oak, alcohol and power are all impressive and the balance is true in spite of the dimensions. This is a very skilful balancing act eliciting vinous oohs and aahs from my palate. It would be a shame to drink this any earlier than 2035 such is the potential majesty here - it just has to lose a lot of tannin and excessive dry oak notes before you wield your corkscrew.

Score: 18.5+ Matthew Jukes, Matthew Jukes' Blog, April 2016

Close

Vintage 2015

Full report of Bordeaux 2015 by Andrew Caillard MW “Next in line in a great series of vintages; 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2015.

 

2015 is a wonderful Bordeaux vintage without the hype or hysteria associated with 2009 and 2010. The wines are generally expressive and generous with wonderful concentration and structure. Given another year in barrel, the wines should gain more complexity and fruit volume. Châteaux, in all sub-regions, are enthusiastic about the beautiful fragrance, clear fruit aromas and lively energy of the wines, and believe the vintage to be the best since 2010. More than once, the expression “a vintage of the decade” was mentioned. I have tasted through most of the top wines, some on more than one occasion, and I am convinced that this is a vintage worth supporting. It’s a very successful vintage.

 

The weather conditions were generally ideal with perfect flowering and set for spring. A hot, dry, sunny period in June and July kept the vines in balance; Near-drought conditions resulted in excellent cluster development. Veraison (in which the grape berries change from green and hard to colored and fleshy) began towards the end of July. Light rains refreshed the canopies and hydrated the grape clusters. Cooler weather arrived in August with above average precipitation. Northern Médoc was exposed to heavy rains, but no berry splitting or significant disease pressure was reported. The cooler conditions leading up to harvest in September allowed the grapes to retain their aromatic potential and ripen relatively evenly.

 

Red wines from the Right Bank and the Left Bank are generally impressive in their concentration, vigor and freshness. Although all wines are tasted extremely young, it is easy to see the quality and dimension of the vintage. Merlot performed particularly well, with many Châteaux picking intermittently over a three-week window to achieve optimal freshness, flesh and maturity. Cabernet Franc, its companion in many wines, gives an attractive “tannin seam” and structural vigor. Observers are already calling it a right bank year (St Emilion & Pomerol). Ch Vieux Château Certan, described as “La Force Tranquille”, and Château Petrus were my two top Right Bank wines, followed by Château Ausone. All have a buoyancy and precision that bodes well for the future.

 

The southern left bank (Margaux and Pessac-Léognan) also found some beautiful concentrated wines. The alcoholic strength and tannic maturity seem to correlate with this impression. Cabernet Sauvignon, typically “needing to take its time”, produced wines of beautiful aromaticity, concentration and vitality. The success of this variety depended on the sophistication of harvesting and selection during blending. Château Margaux and Château Palmer are amazing wines. Château Haut Brion and Château La Mission Haut Brion made dense chocolate styles. Château Haut Bailly is particularly refined and nicely balanced.

 

At Château Batailley, the introduction of a second wine and greater attention to differentiation led to one of the best vintages in its history. Many small refinements and decisions in the vineyard and cellar have allowed several large châteaux in St Julien, Pauillac and St Estephe to make beautiful wines too. The difficult selection process is particularly evident on the Left Bank. Château Margaux and Château Cos d’Estournel have chosen to rigorously defend their first wines through very careful picking and selection. Only 35% and 39% (respectively) of the harvest were dedicated to their Grand Vin. Ch Cheval Blanc de St Emilion represented 95.1% of the harvest, leaving no reason to make Petit Cheval in 2015.

The attention to detail in the vineyard, especially after the August rains, and the huge investments in optical sorting machines (costing around 200,000 euros each) at harvest ensured that the grapes were in good condition before vinification. It’s quite incredible how the fruit arrives in the cellar these days. Attention to detail has become the norm within the Grand Cru Classé community. The First Growth Estates with their huge financial investments in vineyard practices and cellars, have all produced impressive wines this year. Perhaps the most evocative of all is Château Margaux. The death of the estate's longtime winemaker, Paul Pontallier, on Easter Sunday from cancer shook the Bordeaux wine community. He was a man for all seasons. He brought out the best in his people and their wines, whatever the vintage offered. 2015 Château Margaux, in all likelihood, will be the greatest vintage in its modern history.

 

Despite the somber mood of this year’s En Primeurs 2015 tastings, the energy of spring brought a feeling of renewal. Buds in the vines, white and pink flowers in full bloom, pure chirping of baby birds and vibrant new wines of the vintage promised the animation and maturation of life. The colors, densities, flavors and tannic quality of the young red wines suggest a great vintage in the making. It is one of the most curious practices in the wine trade to comment on unfinished wine, but somehow the predictions become more or less right. Over the next year, the wines will develop more complexity, richness and volume in fruit barrels. The tannins, oak and fruit will integrate more.

 

The sweet aperitif/dessert wines of Sauternes and Barsac also performed very well. The combination of uniform maturation and optimal outbreaks of botrytis cinerea produced magnificent wines. Some are calling it the best vintage since 2001, arguably the greatest vintage in recent memory. While Ch d’Yquem looked stunning, the elegant Ch Climens style, still in many parts, will look wonderful. Typically, this wine is tasted from multiple barrels, and my notes are a composite of eight different elements. The scent, dynamism, freshness and line are incredible. Dry whites, primarily Sauvignon Blanc or Gris dominant, are refreshing styles with an appealing freshness and vibrancy. Ch Haut Brion Blanc is an amazing wine, but its release price will reflect its rarity.

 

Châteaux will likely bring out the vintage in two installments to capture the appetite of the global wine trade. Early bids will likely be a bit higher than last year's opening prices. This will go against the advice of traders who have been operating with very low margins for many years. The weakening of the pound sterling and the Australian dollar against the euro may be a stumbling block for some buyers, but there will be value and opportunity in this upcoming open season. For Australian buyers, this is absolutely the best way to buy Bordeaux. Provenance is guaranteed, allocations confirmed and the price will always be lower than future imports, due to the structure of the Bordeaux market.

Better market conditions in China and the United States, combined with a significant vintage both in quantity and quality, will allow Bordeaux to regain momentum after a four-year period of stagnation and uncertainty. The game of cat and mouse between the Châteaux, the merchants and the wine trade begins now. Whatever the outcome, Bordeaux will continue to be the benchmark for great wines for many decades to come. There is something completely unique, invigorating and evocative about mature Bordeaux wines. The best of 2015 will be transformative and delicious to drink. All you need is patience, moderately deep pockets, and the willingness to buy!

 

Margaux/ Beautiful wines with magnificent fruit density and fine, sinuous tannins. It’s been a few years since Margaux shone so brightly. Ch Margaux, Ch Palmer, Ch Rauzan Segla, Ch Rauzan Gassies, Alter Ego de Cg Palmer. Ch Pavillon Rouge, Ch Malescot de St Exupery, Ch D’Angludet, Ch Kirwan, Ch Cantenac Brown and Ch Brand Cantenac are highlights.

Close

Tasting note

Be the first one to make a 20s tasting note!

Written Notes

2015 was a blessed, dreamt-of year, with favourable weather conditions from spring to harvest. Each step took place under ideal conditions: flowering was even, and then the necessary rainfall for the growth of the vines came before the very dry months of June and July. Véraison went like a wonder. The pips started to ripen very early. August, with some timely rains and mild temperatures, allowed the vine to develop well and for the grapes to ripen in a balanced way. The fine days and cool nights in September, accompanied by some showers, favoured the ripening of the tannins.


The perfect state of health in the vineyard and the superb weather conditions of early autumn allowed us to harvest magnificent grapes as and when we wanted... over nearly a month! The Merlots from Angélus were picked from September 22, ripe but not overripe, crisp, fruity, with lots of freshness. Cabernets Francs, a gem for Angélus, were also magnificent, and were picked from October 8. It brings elegance, finesse and depth, with a silky note, and greatly contributes to enhancing this new vintage. 


2015 is an excellent vintage at Angélus. Excellent in its subtle balance between power and refinement; in its intense aromatics of ripe, juicy fruit, its suave, clean entry on the palate, its tight-grained velvety tannins and its great purity. It has all the charm brought by a sun-drenched vintage with a touch of flamboyant classicism (baroque we might say), in harmonious balance with the elegance and breed brought by the freshness and tension in the lingering finish.


Harvest: 22nd September to 14th October
Blend: 62 % Merlot, 38 % Cabernet Franc
Drink: 2040 - 2050

A total blockbuster is the 2015 Angelus and it’s reminiscent of a slightly more elegant 2009. Made from 62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Franc brought up in new barrels, this rich, opulent beauty boast killer notes of blackcurrants, blackberry liqueur, truffle, chocolate and scorched earth. With full-bodied richness, building, ripe tannin and a stacked profile on the palate, this hedonistic Bomb of a wine from Hubert de Boüard needs 4-5 years of cellaring and will keep for three decades or more.
Rating: 97+

  • 97p

2015 was a blessed, dreamt-of year, with favourable weather conditions from spring to harvest (harvests from September 22 to october 14). This year, 2015 Angelus wine is made with 62% of Merlot and 38% of Cabernet Franc. This first classified growth "A" of Saint-Emilion appellation has a dense and deep colour. The expression of black fruits is remarkable in its purity and precision. The initial taste is smooth and velvety. The mid-palate builds up on tasting, highlighting the tight and well-defined tannins. Beyond this fine basis, it is a pleasure, a charm, factors that characterise this vintage. The end of the palate is rich, with a spicy finish and the usual freshness of great vintages of Angelus.

  • 98p
Wow! Very concentrated and ripened dark fruits. Sweet and opulent like a perfume. Elegant with velvet tannin. Very good integration with the body, tannin, acidity and the freshness from the wine. There were lots of feminine touch in the wine. Perhaps it's the effect from Stéphanie de Boüard, the 8th generation of the family. 2015 is her first production vintage for Angelus. This is my favourite Angelus since 2009 vintage onwards, a vintage can drink early and for sure be able to age. 98-99+
  • 98p
Dark purple red with violet hue and black core. Complex character with intense fruit in the nose, blackberries, mulberries, black cherries and hints of elderberries. Vanilla and hints of gingerbread spices, elegant roasting aroma. On the palate well structured with mature tannins balanced by succulent fruit, opulent character. Well balanced and wonderful.
  • 98p
Deep colour. Fresh dark berry ginger, herb aromas. Dark cherry, dark plum ginger, fine sweet fine tannins, savoury oak notes. Lovely vanilla finish with al dente, slightly grippy textures. Excellent wine with generosity and freshness. 96 points 
  • 96p
Angelus Saint Emilion 1er Grand Cru Classe A - 62% Merlot 38% Cabernet Franc Very deep colour, lovely intense creamy nose, blueberry, pure and focused, cool fruit, plump big style coating the mouth with plenty of chalky tannins, pain grille, typical of the chateau, it carries well very long. Complex. This is quite extracted compared to some, but the plentiful tannins are very ripe. Reminds me of the brilliant 2005, but it might be even better. 95-98/100 2030-2050
  • 96p
Ruby. Dark fruits, minerals, blueberries and blackberries, quite intense nose, layered, ripe. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, ripe, rich, intense and fruity, detailed, nuanced, long. 94-96
  • 95p
Load more notes

Information

Origin

St. Emilion, Bordeaux

Vintage Quality

Excellent

Value For Money

Best buy

Investment potential

Average

Fake factory

None
Incorrect Information
If you found some information that is wrong, let us know
Are you sure you want do delete this wine? All information will be lost.
Are you sure you want to recommend this wine?
Are you sure you want hide this written note ?
Are you sure you want show this written note ?
UPGRADE MEMBER PLAN
Upgrade your membership now, it's quick and easy. We use PayPal, the world's largest payment system, it accepts all credit cards. Once you've chosen your membership level, you'll go directly to PayPal. You can cancel your membership at any time.
Thank you for your support!
 

Pro Member

 

Winemerchant Member

 

Winery Member

 

User

 

HOW TO USE TASTINGBOOK?

We recommend you to share few minutes for watching the following video instructions of how to use the Tastingbook. This can provide you a comprehensive understanding of all the features you can find from this unique service platform.

This video will help you get started



Taste wines with the Tastingbook


Create Your wine cellar on 'My Wines'



Explore Your tasted wines library



Administrate Your wine world in Your Profile



Type a message ...
Register to Tastingbook
Sign up now, it's quick and easy.
We use PayPal, the world's largest payment system, it accepts all credit cards.
Once you've chosen your membership level, you'll go directly to PayPal, where you can sign up for a free 7-day trial period. You can cancel your membership at any time. We wish you a rewarding journey to the world of Fine Wines.

Free 7 days Member trial

 

Member

 

Pro Member

 

Winemerchant Member

 

Winery Member

 

User

  Register