Chateau Angelus 2011

Great Cabernet Franc years always turn out particularly well at Angélus, which then stands out not only for its concentration and perfectionist craftsmanship, but also for its poise and elegance. This is the case in 2011: the tannins are perfectly cut, dense yet impeccably polished, and the finish is fruity-floral and long.

The 2011 Angelus is another winner from Hubert de Bouard. Supple and sexy, with lots of blueberry and black raspberry fruit interwoven with licorice, barbecue smoke and camphor, this medium- to full-bodied, supple-textured, sexy effort offers delicious drinking now and promises to become even better over the next decade. It should keep for 15 or more years.

The dark plum, raspberry and red currant fruit has a very sleek feel, lending a forward profile to the wine. Shows well-coiled grip underneath, with dark tobacco and briar hints echoing through the finish and emerging more with aeration. Should expand with cellaring. Best from 2016 through 2028. 9,585 cases made.

Fine tannins, this is elegant and finessed, with cool blueberry and raspberry fruits, touches of orange peel, rose petal and slate. Well balanced, precise and well crafted, with a shot of espresso and cocoa bean on the finish. This is just beginning to be ready to drink if given a good few hours in a carafe.

Intense nose of redcurrant and bramble jelly. Gains a lot of herbal and earthy complexity with some aeration. Very satisfying balance of full, powdery tannins and restrained richness. Quite a sweet entry, but this turns decisively dry at the long, straight and elegant finish. Hint of warmth from alcohol, but this is part of the style. Drink or hold. Château Quintus vertical tasting. SP.

Black inky core. Invitingly dark, rich and spiced on the nose. Fragrant and promising. Lightly cedary. Cool, elegant and refined but with deep, deep tannins giving a firm, rounded structure. Long and rich. (JH)

The 2011 Angélus has a lovely bouquet with ample red fruit, fireside hearth/ash and a touch of Earl Grey. Fine definition and lift here. The palate is very well balanced with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, quite sensual for the growing season with a judicious plushness and a sense of breeding on the finish. Superb. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.

Forward, charming, polished and poised, with a core of sweet, ripe black cherries, licorice, espresso and earth, this supple-textured wine is quite strong for the vintage.

From a vintage that is slowly coming around and drinking well, the 2011 Angelus offers a beautiful elegance and purity as well as the ripe, sexy style of the estate. Based on 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc brought up in new barrels, it's still ruby colored and offers ample blackcurrants, spice box, dried earth as well as medium to full body, beautiful balance, sweet tannins, and a great finish. A terrific wine from this estate, it will continue drinking nicely for another two decades or more.

Restrained bouquet of dried wild cherry, delicate lavender note and light noble wood, with a hint of mocha and Brazilian tobacco in the background. On the compact palate with a finely sandy texture, tightly knit tannic framework and sinewy body. The aromatically focused finish shows red plums, juniper and a fine, crumbly astringency. A potential-based assessment, with the hope that bottle ageing will help further and patience will pay off!

The color is violet-black, with an impenetrable core. Smoky start, redwood notes, tobacco, black cherries, but also floral tones; it keeps building, yet the wood notes remain present. On the palate, a massive chunk of dark-berry fruit, a concentrated load of tannins with a demanding astringency. Everything possible has been packed into it, finishing with Sichuan peppercorn notes, cassis, and Alpine blueberries. Not a soft vintage expression, but a wine almost for the day after tomorrow. It could gain another point with maturity, if it digests everything. But this potential maturity certainly won’t begin before 10 years. (18/20). 15: During a visit at the Château. Very dense and meaty. The tannins are intense, but seem ready to align with the body soon. First enjoyment in 5 years? (18/20). 21: Still very dark, youthful garnet with a subtle violet shimmer at the core. A tightly wrapped bundle of aromas on the nose: dark berries, licorice, black currant, and pumpernickel bread. The nose is impressive and actually points to a much bigger vintage. On the palate, it continues exactly the same way. A powerhouse with a fully loaded vinification. Work here was done at the limits of what’s possible. Is it now exacting its toll? Essentially yes—especially if you want to tackle it now. But those who wait may yet witness a mid-level Angélus miracle. Hopefully! (18/20).

Dense, deep, concentrated bouquet with dark berries, currants, strawberries, mocha. Powerful, heavily extracted palate with plenty of fine tannins, dark aromatics, muscular structure, dark fruit, long, bitter finish. 18/20 2022 - 2040

A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2011 Angelus is medium to deep garnet in color, with a touch of brick. It opens with a very minty nose, before giving way to a core of raspberry preserves, dark chocolate, baked plums, and black cherry compote, plus hints of fertile loam and star anise. Full-bodied, the palate is bursting with mint-laced black and red berry layers, textured by plush tannins and a beguiling line of freshness, finishing long and lifted.

A dense, velvety wine, a little stricter than usual, with lovely length and moderate tannins.

(60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc) The nose is fresh, elegant and velvety, with notes of red fruit and blackberry, joined by hints of violet and cornflower, as well as a touch of spice and anise/licorice. The palate is fruity, fleshy, elegant, complex and very fresh. On the palate, this wine shows notes of red fruit, boysenberry, licorice and spices, with subtle hints of blueberry, toasted oak and a discreet/fine note of caramel. The tannins are fine, elegant and fairly tight. Good length.

Served decanted. Dark, intense color with slight evolution. Very aromatic, powerful nose with ripe, creamy fruit. Rich on the attack, supple through the mid‑palate, aromatic and juicy, a touch austere on the finish, yet the wine stretches out deep and complex, with bright flavor. 3 bottles tasted with identical results.

92-94. Barrel sample. Very dry, firm and hard, this is heavily dominated by new wood. It's only the underlying weight that suggests the black fruit potential.