Angelus 2012

St Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé A

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Tasting Notes

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux tasting. The 2012 Angelus does not offer the same level of complexity as its peers at the moment. This is (surprisingly for Angelus) conservative and backward. There is a touch of seaweed developing with time but otherwise the message of the aromatics is: come back later. The palate is medium-bodied with a gentle grip, sultry and broody, somehow quite intriguing, a saturnine Saint Emilion that may be interesting to revisit in a decade's time, since there is appreciable depth and structure here. Tightly-coiled, long-term, serious. Tasted January 2016.

Score: 94

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2040 28 October 2016

The 2012 Angélus (55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc) is inky bluish purple in color and exhibits blueberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with some licorice, charcoal and graphite. It is full-bodied, ripe, and a great, great success for this estate. The tannins are silky and soft, and the wine can be drunk now or over the next 15 or more years. Very tiny yields of 34 hectoliters per hectare rendered a wine with 14.5% alcohol.

Score: 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2030 01 April 2015

Owned by Hubert de Bouard, the 2012 Angelus was harvested between October 8-18, yields were 34 hectoliters per hectare, and the natural alcohol was over 14%. The final blend was 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the superstars of the vintage, the dense opaque purple/blue-colored 2012 offers up notes of barbecue smoke, graphite, charcoal, blueberries, blackberries, sweet cherries and forest floor. With terrific fruit intensity, a powerful, layered, multidimensional mouthfeel and full body, it should be drinkable at an early age given the sweetness of the tannin. It should easily evolve for 15-20 years.

Score: 94 - 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2013-2033 26 April 2013

Wet earth, blackberry and blue berry character on the nose. Full body, chewy tannins and a tangy finish. Needs time to soften. Tight and structured red. Better in 2018.

Score: 93

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Maturity: 2018+ 15 February 2015

This is powerful and rich with lots of blackberries and cherries. Loads of richness and intensity. We will see but shows loads of potential. Intense.

Score: 93 - 94

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 04 April 2013

Inky with black core. Sweet charred oak is the first impression. And the second. But there is finesse to the tannins and some nice (hidden) dark fruit. Firm grip on the finish and just about fresh, though it is very hard to judge this wine now when the oak is all dominant. Tannin texture is very fine and I am sure this will become elegant if you can be patient enough and wait for the oak to subside. Too oaky for my taste but I know it will be admired by others.

Score: 17 - 18

Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2022-2035 26 April 2013