Château Angélus, St Emilion, 2005
This blend of 62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Franc carries a whopping 14.4% alcohol and will spend the next year in 90% new oak barrels. Due to the impeccable health of the vineyard, there was less green harvesting at Angélus. Malos were not unduly prolonged, as they were in many properties, and finished in late December. The wine possesses a massive structure, which handles the high alcohol with ease, and while the tannin indices are similarly high, the whole package is immaculately balanced. There is a beautiful nose of very ripe, dark berry fruit, with some green pepper and high-toned vanillin oak; very pure on the palate, powerful (following a four-week maceration) but measured and perfectly balanced; elegant fruit through the palate, with a herbal Cabernet Franc finish and lots of complexity. Astoundingly good.
critic reviews
A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2005 Angelus is deep garnet in color, with a touch of brick. It needs a fair bit of patient swirling to unlock notes of plum preserves, blueberry compote, fruitcake, and cigar box, plus suggestions of licorice and Sichuan pepper. The full-bodied palate is concentrated with black fruit and exotic spice layers, supported by firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a long-lingering aniseed note.
The 2005 Angélus is a gorgeous wine. Inky red fruit, mocha, espresso, dried flowers and iron give this potent, explosive Saint-Émilion tons of richness. The style is dense and heavily extracted - as was the norm at the time - and yet the 2005 is impeccably balanced. This is a magnificent showing from Hubert de Boüard, who has done so much to elevate the status of this once under-achieving property.