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Angelus 2003

St Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé A

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Tasting Notes

A deep garnet/purple hue, almost opaque in colour. The nose seems to have closed down since I last tasted it, black cherries, a touch of liquorice and a tang of sea-salt developing with aeration struggling against a lot of toasty oak. But quite tight and without the heat of the torrid summer. A full-bodied palate, good acidity considering the vintage, though perhaps lacking the cohesion of the 2001. The tannins are just a little abrasive, especially on the back palate. The finish has a touch of black pepper and tar. Very fine for a Saint Emilion 2003 but it lacks some balance and the finish is dominated by wood.

Score: 90

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2025 01 December 2007

Deep ruby-red. Very ripe yet fresh on the nose: cherry, raspberry, graphite, chocolate, minerals. Lush, velvety and sweet, with unusual vivacity for a 2003 from the right bank thanks to the 50% cabernet franc component. Really coats the mouth with flavors of black raspberry, currant and chocolate. Not yet hugely complex, but the wine's freshness, ripe tannins and superb persistence suggest that aging will bring greater nuance. Has the stuffing to buffer its chewy tannins. This was bottled in September of 2005.

Score: 92

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2006

Beautiful aromas of ripe blackberry and raspberry aromas follow through to a full-bodied palate, with silky tannins and a long, long finish. Layered and delicious. Gorgeous. Best after 2010. 6,500 cases made.

Score: 94

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2010+ 31 March 2006

Very dark but with a light rim. Very broad and almost burnt nose, (even though de Boüard says he hates burnt flavours). Fresh red fruits, relatively fresh for a 2003. Quite lively. But a certain brulé note underneath. A bit itchy and uncomfortable - two different notes play in it and not necessarily in harmony. Surprising amount of acidity. (17- Points)

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2008-2016 12 October 2005

Wine Advocate #158 (Apr 2005) Robert Parker (92-94) points Drink 2010-2025 $150.00 While this is a very good Angelus, it does not rank among the greatest (1989, 1990, 1995, 2000) produced by the dynamic proprietor, Hubert de Bouard. Nevertheless, there is plenty to like about this 58% Cabernet Franc and 42% Merlot blend. (Some of the Cabernet Franc cuvees came in at 15.5% natural alcohol.) A dense blue/purple color is accompanied by gorgeous aromas of boysenberries, charcoal, sweet, leathery/meaty notes, and hints of truffles. Full-bodied and rich, with high tannin and low acidity, this brilliant Angelus falls just short of prodigious.

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-2025 30 April 2005

Once again, Angelus is one of Bordeaux’s great successes thanks to the extraordinary hard work and skills of one of its owners, Hubert de Bouard. The 2003 is a blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot. Some cuvees of Cabernet Franc achieved nearly 16% natural alcohol. Inky/purple to the rim, with a stunning perfume of flowers, red and black fruits, lead pencil shavings, smoke, and roasted coffee, it is an opulent, heady effort possessing loads of glycerin, extremely low acidity, and a 60+ second finish. This hedonistic, intellectually pleasing, full-bodied wine is a packed and stacked beauty. Thick, juicy flavors cascade over the palate, so I suspect this 2003 will drink well young, yet age for 15-20 years. It may be a modern day version of its 1947 counterpart.

Score: 94 - 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2004-2024 30 April 2004