Angelus 2009

St Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé A

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Tasting Notes
A candidate for one of the finest Angelus produced to date (and there have been many, including 1989, 1990, 2000 and 2005), this blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc was fashioned from tiny yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare. It boasts a black/purple color along with a gorgeous perfume of blueberry liqueur, spring flowers and graphite. In the mouth, notes of incense and cassis also emerge from this velvety-textured, full-bodied, intensely concentrated 2009. With silky tannins, low acidity and spectacular purity, texture and depth, it is already approachable (although I’m sure proprietor Hubert de Bouard would think drinking it now is akin to infanticide), but should keep for 20-30+ years. Score: 99 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2042 01 March 2012
I tasted this three separate times, and on two occasions I thought it had the potential to be a perfect wine. The home estate of Hubert de Bouard, this 62+ acre vineyard produced a 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc blend in 2009, with yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare, and a whopping alcohol degree of 14.5%. Of course, the latter component is not even noticeable, as that is one of the erroneous myths about high alcohol in some 2009 Bordeaux. It just doesn’t show, thanks to the wine’s extraordinary concentration. This is a fabulous wine, with that tell-tale, dense, inky blue color that Angelus always seems to achieve. It displays an extraordinary nose of acacia flowers (or is it violets?) intermixed with blueberry liqueur, black raspberries, cassis, licorice, incense, and graphite. Full-bodied, viscous, with great intensity , vibrancy, and transparency, this is one of the all-time great wines from Angelus and a 21st century version of their 1989 and 1990. It should drink well for 20+ years – at the very minimum. (Tasted three times.) Score: 96 - 100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-30 01 April 2010
Gorgeous nose of crushed blackberries with bramble berries and sweet tobacco. Full-bodied, with a solid core of ripe fruit and polished tannins. Compacted texture. Long, long finish. Try in 2020. Score: 97 James Suckling, - Maturity: 2020+ 15 February 2012
Concentrated aromas of boysenberry and raspberry jam. Full-bodied and powerful, with beautiful fruit-coated tannins and a long, spicy, rich aftertaste. All there for a top vintage from Angélus Score: 94 - 97 James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2010
Rather more muted on the nose than the 2010 and a bit more jagged, exaggerated and tarry without so much flesh. Lacks freshness. Really demanding with drying tannins on the end. Harsh. Score: 16 - 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2016-2025 12 May 2011
Very dark crimson. Rather animal on the nose. Thick and sweet but with generosity. Broad and jewelly. Shame we were not allowed to taste it blind with the other grands crus classées. Awfully sweet and concentrated, not relaxed, lots of dryness on the finish, revitalising. Hint of cocoa. -18 points Score: 18 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2016-2030 30 March 2010
Tasted at Chateau Angelus. Picked from 21st September until the 14th October, the Angelus ’09 is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the Angelus ’09 has a well-defined, creamy bouquet with pure black cherry, cassis and a touch of creme de menthe. Very rounded and sensuous. The palate is full-bodied with firm grip, the tannins robust and structured, lending a masculinity to this Saint Emilion. Grippy on the finish with touches of dried herbs and tobacco although a second sample at a négoce was endowed with a more voluptuous finish. I prefer the finesse shown by Hubert de Bouard’s Château Bellevue at present. Tasted March 2010. Score: 92 - 94 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 21 April 2010
60M 40CF. Exceptionally pure fruit with violets and blueberries and hints of spice. Plenty of chocolatey fruit with toast. Fresh and long with totally melted tannins. Long and dense with excellent freshness. Very lively and vibrant. Score: 95 - 98 Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2010

Tasting Notes

A candidate for one of the finest Angelus produced to date (and there have been many, including 1989, 1990, 2000 and 2005), this blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc was fashioned from tiny yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare. It boasts a black/purple color along with a gorgeous perfume of blueberry liqueur, spring flowers and graphite. In the mouth, notes of incense and cassis also emerge from this velvety-textured, full-bodied, intensely concentrated 2009. With silky tannins, low acidity and spectacular purity, texture and depth, it is already approachable (although I’m sure proprietor Hubert de Bouard would think drinking it now is akin to infanticide), but should keep for 20-30+ years.

Score: 99

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2042 01 March 2012

I tasted this three separate times, and on two occasions I thought it had the potential to be a perfect wine. The home estate of Hubert de Bouard, this 62+ acre vineyard produced a 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc blend in 2009, with yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare, and a whopping alcohol degree of 14.5%. Of course, the latter component is not even noticeable, as that is one of the erroneous myths about high alcohol in some 2009 Bordeaux. It just doesn’t show, thanks to the wine’s extraordinary concentration. This is a fabulous wine, with that tell-tale, dense, inky blue color that Angelus always seems to achieve. It displays an extraordinary nose of acacia flowers (or is it violets?) intermixed with blueberry liqueur, black raspberries, cassis, licorice, incense, and graphite. Full-bodied, viscous, with great intensity , vibrancy, and transparency, this is one of the all-time great wines from Angelus and a 21st century version of their 1989 and 1990. It should drink well for 20+ years – at the very minimum. (Tasted three times.)

Score: 96 - 100

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-30 01 April 2010

Gorgeous nose of crushed blackberries with bramble berries and sweet tobacco. Full-bodied, with a solid core of ripe fruit and polished tannins. Compacted texture. Long, long finish. Try in 2020.

Score: 97

James Suckling, - Maturity: 2020+ 15 February 2012

Concentrated aromas of boysenberry and raspberry jam. Full-bodied and powerful, with beautiful fruit-coated tannins and a long, spicy, rich aftertaste. All there for a top vintage from Angélus

Score: 94 - 97

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2010

Rather more muted on the nose than the 2010 and a bit more jagged, exaggerated and tarry without so much flesh. Lacks freshness. Really demanding with drying tannins on the end. Harsh.

Score: 16 - 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2016-2025 12 May 2011

Very dark crimson. Rather animal on the nose. Thick and sweet but with generosity. Broad and jewelly. Shame we were not allowed to taste it blind with the other grands crus classées. Awfully sweet and concentrated, not relaxed, lots of dryness on the finish, revitalising. Hint of cocoa. -18 points

Score: 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2016-2030 30 March 2010

Tasted at Chateau Angelus. Picked from 21st September until the 14th October, the Angelus ’09 is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the Angelus ’09 has a well-defined, creamy bouquet with pure black cherry, cassis and a touch of creme de menthe. Very rounded and sensuous. The palate is full-bodied with firm grip, the tannins robust and structured, lending a masculinity to this Saint Emilion. Grippy on the finish with touches of dried herbs and tobacco although a second sample at a négoce was endowed with a more voluptuous finish. I prefer the finesse shown by Hubert de Bouard’s Château Bellevue at present. Tasted March 2010.

Score: 92 - 94

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 21 April 2010

60M 40CF. Exceptionally pure fruit with violets and blueberries and hints of spice. Plenty of chocolatey fruit with toast. Fresh and long with totally melted tannins. Long and dense with excellent freshness. Very lively and vibrant.

Score: 95 - 98

Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2010

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