Château Angelus 1999
Review of the Estate
Named Chateau Angelus because the sound of the Angelus bells, from three, different, nearby churches that can all be heard in the vineyard at the same time, for eight generations the De Bouard de Laforest family have owned and run Chateau Angelus which is situated in Saint-Émilion. Today, Chateau Angelus is headed by Stèphanie de Bouard.
In 1954, Chateau Angelus became a classed growth and, in 1996, it was further elevated from Grand Cru Classè to Premier Grand Cru Classè B. In 2012 Chateau Angelus was again raised, to what is the region's highest classification level, Premier Grand Cru Classè A.
The grapes harvested at Chateau Angelus are meticulously sorted in the cellar, using three sorting tables, and fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks, concrete tanks, and oak vats. After fermentation, Chateau Angelus wine is racked into new, oak barrels. Blending and assemblage is carried out following the first summer of ageing. Then the wine is then aged for another 20-26 months.
Vineyard
Surface area: 57.8 acres
Grape Varieties: 50% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon
Average age of vines: 30 years
Density of plantation: 7,000 - 8,000 vines per hectare
Average yields: 32 hectoliters per hectare
Average cases produced: 6,000 per year
Plateau of maturity: 4 - 25 years
Château Angelus 1999 Reviews / Tasting Notes
Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate
Point Score: 88
Forced to harvest early due to hail, Angelus, surprisingly, has turned out a very good 1999. This wine offers scents of blackberries, licorice, tapenade, and figs. It lacks the length possessed by the great Angelus vintages such as 2000, 1998, 1990, and 1989, but it is ripe, pure, and moderately tannic. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.
Wine Spectator
Point Score: 92
Coffee bean, berry and spice aromas, almost raisiny, follow through to a full body, with lots of rich fruit and a tobacco, cedar, berry and toasty oak finish. Loads going on. Opulent for the vintage. Chewy tannins too. Serious. Still needs some time. 1989/1999 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2009). Best after 2011. 4,165 cases made.
Stephen Tanzer - Vinous
Point Score: 88-90
Saturated dark ruby. Aromas of black raspberry, game, fresh blood, toffee and charred oak; grew oakier with aeration. Concentrated, dense and sweet, with a rather suave texture, but does it have soul? Flavors of blackberry syrup and fig. Finishes with big palate-dusting tannins.