Le Carillon de l'Angélus, St Emilion,

Vivid ruby red fruits, smoked caramel and mint leaf underline the personality and definition of this wine, setting it apart from Château Angélus in a way that has been increasingly apparent over recent vintages, reflecting its separate vineayrds, and clearly different blending. Has a lusicous quality without being overdone, with concentrated sage and rosemary spice. 60% new oak, 18ha dedicated plots, Harvest September 6 to 28. Just over 10% of the Château Bellevue plots are now in Carillon (so around 0.5ha), and the vinification saw double the usual time for cold soaking at no more than 2C to keep focus on fruit, never going over 22C during the fermentation itself.

The deep garnet-purple colored 2022 Carillon d'Angelus is composed of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc with a pH of 3.65. Deep garnet-purple colored, it charges out of the gate with rambunctious notions of blueberry pie, plum preserves, and chargrill, followed by hints of cardamom, wood smoke and sassafras. The full-bodied palate is surprising, coming off a far more graceful and nuanced than the nose suggests with fragrant floral notes and beautifully plush tannins, finishing with great vibrancy and freshness. 2022 is an impressive step up for this label!

The 2022 Le Carillon d'Angélus represents the fourth vintage produced in the new cellar. This is a significant level up from the No. 3 in terms of fruit concentration: black cherries, raspberry coulis, violet and incense. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and mineral-driven, with pliant tannins, fine tension and a sorbet finish. This very capable Le Carillon deserves two or three years in bottle.