Château Angelus

Château Angélus is a well regarded wine estate based in the Saint-Emilion region of northeastern Bordeaux. The property sits on a coveted spot just west of Saint-Émilion town, on a gentle, south-facing slope on the Saint-Émilion plateau. It produces a sumptuous, long-lived Merlot-Cabernet Franc wine that is regularly highly rated by critics. The château was given its name due of the presence of nearby church bells (an "angélus" is a Roman Catholic prayer bell) that could be heard chiming from the original plots of vineyards. The current château now hosts a framework of small bells on its rooftop.

Thanks to good weather and controlled yields, the grapes were very ripe and contained great balance. The wines are full of color, almost opaque. The first aromatic impressions are reminiscent of candied prune, blackcurrant jelly, spice and cedar. The very large proportion of Cabernet Franc contributes menthol-flavored tannins packed with freshness, elegance and complexity. The wines are silky and fill the mouth. The finish is beautifully balanced, creamy and lasts for minutes, a sign that this vintage will be very long-keeping.