2022 Château Angélus

The 2022 Angélus is still very contained on the nose, therefore, for this sample, I transferred the wine several times between two glasses in order to pry it open. It has a delineated and tensile bouquet, with blackberry, briar and light marine scents percolating through with time. Hints of oyster shell emerge from the limestone soils. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and saline, with gentle grip, fine tannins and a poised, persistent finish. There is a linearity to this Angélus that I appreciate due to the 40% Cabernet Franc. It’s very minerally on the aftertaste. This is an excellent Angélus that will age perhaps more slowly than its peers.

- Neal Martin (01/2025)

This is a powerful Angelus, showing incredible depth and intensity as well as tannins that are totally melted into the wine, giving incredible energy for such a young bottle. It makes me think of the great reds of the 1940s or 1950s but with modern precision. Full-bodied but agile, this has endless length, the blackberries and crushed stones, light herbs and dark chocolate showing throughout. Such balance. Al dente. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc. So attractive now but will age forever. (01/2025)

Moving to the Grand Vin, the 2022 Château Angelus is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc that spent 21 months in 100% new barrels, with a portion of the Cabernet Franc in foudre. It reveals a pure ruby/purple hue as well as stunning aromatics of black raspberries, cassis, spring flowers, and graphite that show more floral nuances with time in the glass. It's incredibly well-balanced, has fine tannins, and a rare mix of purity, finesse, and richness. It's an absolutely gorgeous Angelus that deserves a decade in the cellar and will cruise for 40+ years. The style here has shifted considerably towards elegance and finesse, sometimes at the expense of texture and richness, yet this classic beauty delivers perfectly balanced richness, depth, and elegance. (02/2025)

This Bordeaux, a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc from the Angélus team, is made in the Carillon d’Angélus cellars on the main road out towards Castillon, and the vines (all 50 hectares of them) are in the Castillon appellation. After sorting the vinification takes place in large stainless steel vats, after which 30% is matured in new oak barrels in the Carillon cellars for twelve months, while the other 70% remains in stainless steel. Lovely, fresh, grained, perfumed red cherry fruit on the nose, with toasted pip and a touch of chocolate. The texture is bright and pure, with a supple midpalate, very pure and underpinned by a finessed frame of tannins. A linear and fresh limestone drive here, with fresh raspberry and toast notes, before a sappy finish. The alcohol on the palate is 14.5%.

- Chris Kissack (06/2025)

The 2022 Angélus has turned out beautifully in bottle, reflecting the estate's shift toward a livelier, more integrated style. Wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet cherries, blackberries and mulberries mingled with rose petals and violets, it's full-bodied, velvety and concentrated, with a deep, enveloping core of succulent fruit, integrated tannins and a long, perfumed finish. It was bottled in the last week of July 2024.

- William Kelley (03/2025)