Château Angelus 2020

A pure and elegant Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru

The estate

The name Château Angélus comes from the winegrowers who used to ring the bells of three churches simultaneously in the heart of the famous medieval town of Saint-Émilion. This legendary property of the appellation was founded in 1782 and, for 8 generations, the de Boüard de Laforest family has overseen this exceptional heritage on Bordeaux’s Right Bank.

The vineyard

Château Angélus is a Saint-Emilion wine from an exceptional terroir whose vines, on average 38 years old, are located on the southern slope of Saint-Emilion. This terroir extends over clay-limestone soils on the upper part and clay-sand-limestone soils on the hillside.

Attentive to its environment, the estate is committed to converting to Organic Agriculture and the vineyard is certified High Environmental Value level 3.

The vintage

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 eminent predecessors, 2018 and 2019.

Winemaking and ageing

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 run 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.

Blend

Merlot (60%)
Cabernet Franc (40%).

Characteristics and tasting tips for Château Angélus 2020

Tasting

Colour
Shiny and beautifully dense, the wine displays a dark, almost black colour. Purple nuances testify to the perfect ripeness of the grapes.

Nose
Aromatic, the nose blends delicious fruity fragrances (black fruits, wild cherries, blackberries) with elegant floral notes (peony, violet).

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