Angelus

History of Château Angélus

The history of Château Angélus truly begins in the early 20th century, even though the de Boüard de Laforest family, owner of the estate, has been rooted in the Bordeaux region since the 16th century. In 1922, Élisabeth Bouchet, wife of Maurice de Boüard, acquired a 3.5-hectare plot called Clos de L'Angélus, named after the bells of surrounding churches. This plot is the heart of the estate as it exists today.

Over the generations, the de Boüard family has expanded and improved the estate. Under the direction of Hubert de Boüard, from 1985, Château Angélus underwent ambitious modernisation, with innovative viticultural practices and a constant quest for quality. The consecration came in 2012 when Château Angélus was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé A in the prestigious Saint-Émilion classification.

In 2022, the estate decided to withdraw from this classification, considering that the evaluation criteria no longer corresponded to their vision. However, this decision has not in any way altered the aura of Château Angélus, still considered one of the greatest Bordeaux wines. The golden bell, the estate's emblematic symbol, remains a visual and spiritual landmark through the decades.

The 2005 vintage of Château Angélus achieved perfection with 100/100 from Robert Parker, while the 2010, 1990, 2009 and 2000 vintages were rated 99/100. The 2016, 2003 and 1998, rated 98/100, confirm the consistency of this exceptional Saint-Émilion. The 2016 vintage of the special edition "Tribute to Elisabeth Bouchet" received a perfect score of 100/100 from Robert Parker, celebrating the finesse and intensity of this unique wine.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Angélus

The terroir of Château Angélus spans 42 hectares, with a diversity of soils that contributes to the richness and complexity of the wines. The vines, composed mainly of Cabernet Franc (47%) and Merlot (50%), are planted on clay-limestone and sandy soils, with clay-rich subsoils, ideal for water retention.

The Cabernet Franc, the estate's emblematic grape variety, particularly benefits from the warm soils of the region, allowing it to flourish fully, especially after several decades. Indeed, old vines of more than 40 years produce low yields, but grapes of exceptional quality, giving the wines incomparable freshness and elegance. The Merlots, meanwhile, are planted on more clay-rich soils, bringing roundness and opulence to the blends.

Château Angélus also distinguishes itself by its meticulous vineyard management, notably with high planting density, manual de-stemming, and rigorous green harvesting, allowing optimal grape maturation. Since 2021, the estate has been officially certified organic, an approach begun several years earlier to respect the environment and preserve the quality of the terroir.

Winemaking at Château Angélus

Winemaking at Château Angélus is a balance between tradition and innovation. Under the direction of Hubert de Boüard, the estate introduced avant-garde techniques for the time, such as whole berry fermentation, malolactic fermentation in oak barrels and the use of wood, concrete and stainless steel vats. These techniques allow for extracting the best from the fruit while preserving the finesse and aromatic purity of the wines.

Each plot of the estate is vinified separately to respect the unique identity of each terroir. The cold maceration process, used before fermentation, allows for gentle extraction of aromas and tannins. Malolactic fermentation is largely carried out in new oak barrels, which brings richness and complexity to the wines, while the vintages age on lees during the first months, enhancing their texture and aromatic intensity.

The wines of Château Angélus benefit from long ageing, between 18 and 24 months, in 100% new French oak barrels. This meticulous process gives the wines their structure, depth and ageing ability.

The cuvées of Château Angélus

Château Angélus - Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé

The estate's flagship cuvée is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, where Cabernet Franc plays a central role. This wine is distinguished by its deep colour, aromas of black fruits, menthol and spices, as well as its silky yet powerful tannins. Capable of ageing for several decades, Château Angélus is a wine for laying down par excellence, combining freshness, complexity and elegance. The oldest vintages reveal notes of sweet spices and extraordinary length on the palate.

Carillon d'Angélus - Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

Carillon d'Angélus, the estate's second wine, has been produced since 1987. It reflects the same expertise as the grand vin, but with a more immediate approach. Composed of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, it is distinguished by pure aromas of red fruits and velvety tannins. It is an accessible wine, offering a beautiful structure, but which can be enjoyed younger while retaining a ageing potential of 10 to 15 years.

N°3 d'Angélus - Saint-Émilion

Launched in 2007, N°3 d'Angélus is the estate's third wine. Crafted mainly from Merlot (85 to 90%), this wine is designed to offer immediate pleasure, while retaining finesse and fruitiness. It does not undergo ageing in new wood, making it more accessible in its youth. Ideal for those who wish to discover the world of Angélus without waiting for long years, it is also capable of ageing 5 to 8 years.

Tempo d'Angélus - Bordeaux

The estate's latest creation, Tempo d'Angélus is a separate cuvée, produced from vines located outside the Saint-Émilion appellation. This wine, sold under the Bordeaux appellation, is intended to be more affordable while remaining true to the estate's demand for quality. It combines structure and gourmandise, while being ready to be enjoyed as soon as it is released. Perfect for enthusiasts wishing to explore Angélus wines at a more accessible price.

Hommage à Élisabeth Bouchet

This rare cuvée, produced only in great Cabernet Franc vintages, is a tribute to the family's great-grandmother, Élisabeth Bouchet. Composed of 100% Cabernet Franc, from the estate's oldest vines, it offers complex aromas of black fruits, spices and menthol. A wine of rare elegance, destined for the greatest connoisseurs and collectors.

Saint-Émilion, a jewel of the Bordeaux wine region, has produced vintages of exceptional quality over the years, delighting connoisseurs of fine wines. Among the legendary vintages, one can cite 1947, 1959, and 1961, true icons that have marked the history of Bordeaux wines. The famous 1982 remains an undisputable reference. The following decades were equally impressive, with remarkable vintages such as 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2005, all acclaimed for their richness and ageing potential. More recently, the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages have shone through their balance and depth, reaffirming Saint-Émilion's reputation as one of Bordeaux's most sought-after appellations, where each new year continues to captivate fine wine enthusiasts with its consistent quality and elegance.

Discover the prestigious Premier Grand Cru Classé A wines of Saint-Émilion, true jewels of the Right Bank vineyards. Among them, Château Pavie, promoted in 2012, continues to shine with the exceptional quality of its wines. More recently, in 2022, Château Figeac joined this exclusive circle, confirming its place among the elite. Other estates, although no longer part of this classification since 2022, continue to inspire admiration from wine enthusiasts: Château Angélus, Château Ausone and Château Cheval Blanc, all synonymous with tradition and excellence.

Château Angélus is much more than a great Bordeaux wine; it is a symbol of tradition, innovation and family passion. For centuries, the de Boüard de Laforest family has been committed to revealing the full potential of this unique terroir. Whether it's their main cuvée, Carillon d'Angélus, or the new Tempo d'Angélus, each wine reflects the dedication and expertise of the estate. Whether you are a lover of wines for laying down or looking for a more accessible cuvée, Château Angélus offers a diverse range, but always synonymous with excellence.