Tempo d'Angelus

Brought up 22 months in a mix of new barrels, foudre, and once-used barrels, the 2023 Château Angelus is based on a classic blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Gorgeously pure crème de cassis and black cherries are supported by graphite, spring flowers, smoke, and a terrific sense of crushed stone. It's medium to full-bodied on the palate and has a pure, graceful, layered mouthfeel, ultra-fine, focused tannins, and a great finish. It's about as classy as they come. Drink this aristocratic, layered, sensationally complete Saint-Emilion from 2030-2060.

The 2023 Angelus is seriously impressive. Readers will find a wine of notable textural intensity and resonance. Dark-fleshed fruit, new leather, lavender and dried herbs race across the palate. The 2023 is pliant and expansive, with gorgeous mid-palate depth and a long, sustained finish. It was an unusual year, one marked by an early harvest for the Merlots and a late harvest for the Francs. The Merlot saw 70% new wood, while the Franc was aged in equal parts foudre and smaller French oak barrels, some new, some once-filled. This is an important vintage for the Grand Vin.

The 2023 Angélus has an intense and potent bouquet with exuberant black cherries, bilberry, peony and subtle menthol scents. Well defined, perhaps not quite as precise as the very best recent vintages from the estate, yet you cannot help falling for its charms. The palate is medium-bodied with, again, intense red and black fruit interlaced with licorice, white pepper and graphite, the latter emanating from the contribution of 40% Cabernet Franc. Satisfying freshness and vitality here, this Angélus will need four to five years in bottle and then should give 20 to 25 years of drinking pleasure.