Château Angelus 2001
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 2001 Reviews / Tasting Notes
Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate
Point Score: 97
A real sleeper of the vintage, and somewhat underrated and under the radar after the greatness of 2000, the 2001 Angelus is on a faster evolutionary track than the 2000, but it is a plush, sexy, succulent style of Angelus with a dense plum/purple color, loads of chocolate, blueberry and blackberry fruit, telltale floral scents in the intense fragrance, and a lush, voluptuously textured and opulent mouthfeel. This wine seems to have entered its plateau of maturity, where it should stay for at least another 10-15 years. It is a major sleeper of the vintage.
Side Note:
The Bouard family, the proprietors of Chateau Angelus, date from 1544 in St.-Emilion. Located on lower hillsides, with a southerly exposure, their 67-acre vineyard, composed of sandstone, limestone and clay, is planted with 47% Cabernet Franc, 50% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Hubert de Bouard, who single-handedly elevated the quality from one of mediocrity (vintages such as 1978, 1982, 1983, and 1985 were disappointing), hit pay dirt with his efforts starting in 1988. Since then, there has been a remarkable succession of great wines.
Radical viticulture such as crop-thinning, shoot-positioning and the immensely labor-intensive manual destemming are employed. Both a second and third wine are made, as the selection process for Angelus is severe. All of this resulted in the 2012 Angelus being upgraded, along with Pavie, to Premier Grand Cru Classe A, joining Cheval Blanc and Ausone as one of only four estates in St.-Emilion to receive this accolade.
Aging takes place in 100% new oak for 18-24 months, after which the wine is bottled with neither fining nor filtration.
Wine Spectator
Point Score: 92-94
Silky, with superfine tannins and luscious fruit and body. Lots of berry and chocolate character, yet very refined. Lovely. Tasted two preliminary blends and both are outstanding. Almost classic. Score range: 92-94
Stephen Tanzer - Vinous
Point Score: 92
Component #1, including the estate's best cabernet franc: Medium ruby. Expressive nose of red and black fruits, tobacco leaf and fresh herbs, with a slight medicinal austerity. Sweet, suave and complex, with a silky texture and rather sophisticated kirsch, tobacco and mineral flavors. Finishes quite long, with fine tannins and notes of game and tobacco. Component #2: Full medium ruby. Sweeter, more merlot-dominated nose. Round and fat in the mouth, with a peppery nuance; but less aromatic today than #1. Bouard pointed out that the merlot was picked early and the cabernet franc very late.