Chateau Angelus 2016

Chateau Angelus 2016

1er Grand Cru Classé "A"

Saint Emilion

75cl.

- Delivery time about 3 weeks from order -

- Not subject to discounts and/or promotions -

Condition and provenance guaranteed

Original wooden case of 6 bottles

Notes on the vintage:

"3 months of summer without water: in the memory of winemakers, we had never seen it! This surprising climatology, these incredible conditions, promise us a fantastic, unpredictable, unexpected vintage. Until June 20th, the weather did not saved money by imposing a very abundant rainfall, around 750mm, which corresponds to the accumulation of rain in a dry year in Bordeaux... Despite these conditions, flowering continued.The good weather arrived from the last week of June which, a very rare thing, accompanied us until the harvest. We had a sunny but rather cool month of July with cold nights. At the end of July, the ocean temperature was much lower than the normal temperatures of this period. And not a single drop of water. August saw temperatures soar with some days of heatwaves, above 35 degrees. However, the day/night amplitude was 1:2 throughout the month, which is very supportive for the aromatic expression of our grapes and maintaining the freshness of the fruit. Added to this is a virtual absence of rain, from 5 to 8 mm which is nothing, or rather the bare minimum to allow the plant to hydrate itself. It was then that the very young vines began to suffer. The older vines, particularly on clayey and/or calcareous soils, resist magnificently (limestone and clay act like a sponge that clogs up in wet periods, and redistributes the water collected in dry periods).

"For more than 35 years that I have been observing the vineyard, I have always been used to the storms of July 14th and August 15th. Nothing this year, none of this! In September, the summer continues and with it the heat: temperatures of 28 , 30 degrees are our daily life. In mid-September a great storm is announced. Each of us shivers. But the large menacing white and gray clouds finally turn into a beneficial rain. 19 then 4 mm of rain. This water that fell from the sky gives energy, strength and breath to our vineyard. Then, the good weather returns very soon. The maturation of the tannins takes place slowly and the first harvests will begin at the beginning of October for the great wines. The freshness of the summer nights have preserved the aromas and the acidity.The climatic prospects for the next two weeks suggest serene harvests, à la carte, making us hope and await a new great vintage at the Angélus!Un millésime rayonnant à l'image de cet été de trois mois qui a décidé de son destin et façonné son identité."
Harvest: from October 4th to October 21st
Grapes: 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc

Reviews:

James Suckling : 99
“Subtle and profound aromas of blackberries, wet earth and sweet tobacco. Hints of spice, too. Full-bodied and so deep. It's incredibly vertical and long. Just like looking down a well. Firm and powerful tannins, yet polished and balanced. Goes on for minutes. One of the greatest ever. Try after 2025.” James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2019

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW : 99
“The 2016 Angelus is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc and has a deep garnet colour, with a hint of purple. It needs a little swirling to unlock powerful notes of stewed black plums, blueberry preserves, and chocolate-covered cherries, giving way to notes of candied violets, star anise, and fertile loam, with a touch of cumin seed. Full-bodied, the palate is rich and concentrated, featuring loads of opulent black fruit flavors sparked by floral and exotic spice notes and textured with plush tannins, finishing with epically long, lingering, fragrant fruit. Such beautiful poise!” The Wine Independent, December 2022

Jane Anson, Decanters : 97
“A wonderful Angélus, rich in the character of this vintage. Stunning length on the silky tannins. This extends outwards, and the architecture is very much more linear than circular (as it is in some vintages), with a lovely freshness and power. I just love how effortless this feels, with deeply intense black fruits and a dried herb edge. The flesh isn't overt but absolutely present. Likely to take on some more weight over time and it will certainly take its time to reach its perfect drinking window. Wonderful sense of energy, power and intensity, yet it's so drinkable now. The 100% new oak is very well integrated, a brilliant success. Blend is 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, with the lowest pH for many years at 3.7 (the 2009 more like 3.9), mainly because the wide temperature differences between day and night slowed down the maturing process and kept freshness. Drinking Window 2027 – 2050” Jane Anson, Decanter.com, April 2017

Jancis Robinson : 17++/20
“Strong balsam notes. Rather luscious fruit and lots of life and interest. Real liveliness. In this wine, in this stable, although it has a drying finish, the fruit is so overwhelming that it distracts from the drying finish. Well done in a distinctly modernist style. Though the finish is a little weak. Drinks 2027-2042.” Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2017

Jeb Dunnuck : 97
“The 2016 Château Angélus is incredibly elegant and finesse-driven, with a soaring perfume of crème de cassis, white flowers, crayon, forest floor, and spice. Compared to the 1996 by the Angélus team, it has a deep, layered style, its oak is beautifully integrated, there are ample tannins, and despite leaning toward the finesse-driven side of the spectrum, it has thrilling depth of fruit and length. It's a brilliant wine from this estate that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 30+ years or more. The blend of the 2016 is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, brought up all in new French oak. 2023 - 2053.” Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, February 2019