Saint-Émilion 1° Grand Cru Classé A 2019 - Parker 96

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 2019 Angélus bursts from the glass with a rich, dramatic nose of cherries, licorice, sweet spices, and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, layered and vibrant, its broad and velvety attack segues into a layered, concentrated mid-palate that's underpinned by tangy acids and fine, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. It's a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. Its seamless, pure profile reflects the subtle shift chez Angélus away from the rich, toasty style of the 1990s and 2000s toward greater elegance and precision. robertparker.com (Apr 07, 2022)

Service: Serve at room temperature (16-18°C) to accompany a Richelieu pâté en croute.