Château Angélus 2018, Saint-Émilion 1° Grand Cru Classé A - Parker 97+

Winemaker and Vineyard: The Angelus vineyard is located at the heart of a natural amphitheater, dominated by the three churches of Saint-Emilion. Within this privileged site, where sounds amplify, one could hear the bells tolling the Angelus in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. They marked the working day in the vineyards and villages, with men and women pausing from their labors to reflect for a few moments. At Angélus, the vineyard is situated in a natural amphitheater on the southern slope and foothills of Saint-Emilion, which concentrates the warmth of the summer and increases early ripening. The soil is naturally drained due to the slope. The balanced distribution between limestone and clay, ranging from 8 to 20%, ensures regular water and mineral supply. The rootstocks are ideally suited to the terroir, and the grape varieties are distributed based on the soil type: Merlots on the slope (more clayey) and a significant proportion of Cabernet Francs (46% of the vine variety) on the clay-limestone soils of the foothills.

Tasting: The 2018 Angélus is blended of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc, aged mainly in oak barriques, 100% new, plus two new foudres. Deep garnet-purple in color, it struts flamboyantly out of the glass with stylish scents of black raspberries, boysenberries and Black Forest cake, plus nuances of rose oil, forest floor, dusty soil and cinnamon toast with a hint of cedar chest. The medium to full-bodied palate is carrying a little new oak at this youthful stage, framing the generous red and black fruits along with ripe, plush grape-skin tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and spicy. Give it 5-6 years in cellar for everything to marry, then drink it over the next 20+ years. robertparker.com (Mar 31, 2021)

Service: Serve at room temperature (16-18°C) to accompany lamb osso bucco.