Merlot/Cabernet Franc

Region: France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion

Grape variety: Merlot (60%) &  Cabernet Franc (40%)

Background: The Premier Cru Classe Château Angélus takes its name from the three church bells of the town of Saint-Émilion whose tolling has always been audible from the estate’s vineyards. This legendary property was founded in 1782 and, for 8 generations, the family de Boüard de Laforest has carefully guarded its exceptional legacy.

The Château Angélus vineyard is located in the heart of Saint-Émilion. The vines are planted in clay-sand-limestone soils.

Winemaking process: The high levels of rainfall during the winter and spring allowed the soils to build up a significant water reserve, which helped throughout the year to preserve the balance of the vineyard. The 2020 vintage stood out for both prolonged drought and for the capacity of the soils (clay and limestone) to provide perfect balance by drawing on water reserves. The summer conditions were ideal to ensure good ripeness and yield healthy, balanced grapes rich in polyphenols. Balanced and complete, 2020 is a perfect synthesis of its two illustrious predecessors, 2018 and 2019.

The vinifications were carried out in oak and stainless steel vats for the Merlot, and in concrete vats for the Cabernet Franc. A pre-fermentation maceration, carried out in certain vats according to the specificities of the grapes, was followed by an alcoholic fermentation and then a post-fermentation maceration of 1 to 3 weeks. The juice ran off was immediately transferred to barrel. Lasting 20 to 22 months, the ageing took place in new French oak barrels for the Merlot and certain Cabernet Franc batches. A specific ageing was carried out in 30 hl casks for the Cabernet Franc, which was selected for its aromatic richness.

Tasting notes: It has a deep red colour. The Cabernet Francs, with their crunch and quality, magnify this great Angelus. A touch of cashmere tannins, great sweetness, and spicy notes. They compete in elegance with the Merlots. Ending with an epic length, this is an Angélus with an unusual flavour that that is perfect for tasting and will defy time.

The colour is shiny and beautifully dense, the wine displays a dark, almost black colour. Purple nuances testify to the perfect ripeness of the grapes. The nose is aromatic, the nose blends delicious fruity fragrances (black fruits, wild cherries, blackberries) with elegant floral notes (peony, violet).

The refined tannins display a round and voluptuous structure. Fresh and harmonious, the palate seduces with its extreme elegance and purity, exuding the precision of Merlot and the character of Cabernet Franc.

Region: France, Bordeau, Pomerol

Grape variety: Merlot & Cabernet Franc

Tasting notes: Deep ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, faint ochre brightening on rim. Ripe dark berry fruit, delicate plum, noble wood and nougat, a hint of cardamom and orange zest. Juicy, complex, fine sweetness, ripe wild berry fruit, vivid tannins, mineral and long, ripe sweet cherry, but also some tannic bite on the finish, savoury aftertaste.