Château Angélus tasting with Hubert de Boüard
Wine Watch, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Tasted Thursday, January 18, 2018 by DrinkBordeaux with 268 views
Introduction
It's always special to attend a vertical tasting with a château's proprietor. I attended a similar vertical tasting with Hubert de Boüard in 2016, which included mostly younger wines. This tasting included eleven vintages from 1988 to 2011. Most showed very well, but it was clear that many of the wines still need more time. Hubert de Boüard was gracious as usual, and it was insightful to hear him discuss Angélus and its long history.
2011 Château Angélus 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Still in its early stages of maturation. Nice floral notes on the nose, along with red fruits, green pepper, tobacco, and oak spice. Quite forward and powerful. This should develop nicely, and while drinking well now (but too young for my liking), it will benefit from more time in bottle.
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2006 Château Angélus 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Quite approachable at this young age, and didn't show the hardness and austerity that some 2006s exhibit. Very open and aromatic, with a plummy and spicy nose. Tannins need some softening, though the texture was pleasant. Good freshness with lively acidity.
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2005 Château Angélus 96 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
This was a powerhouse wine. Still a baby, and I wouldn't touch this wine for at least five years (if not a decade). It's so dense, with a lot of intensity on the palate. This nose is dominated by ripe blackberry and blueberry, along with violets, fresh herbs, and coffee. Clearly one of the stars of this vertical tasting, but also the least evolved.
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2004 Château Angélus 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
I've found this to be a consistent over-performer in a vintage with a bit of inconsistency on the right bank. It's already starting to exhibit some aromas of maturation, with truffle, fresh herbs, coffee, and leather to go along with the dark fruits. Definitely gained some weight in the glass, and showed some nice depth on the palate. Smooth and a soft mouthfeel. Still would say better on the nose than the palate at this stage. Probably will reach its peak in the next 5+ years, but very good to drink now.
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2003 Château Angélus 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Still showing young. Dark opaque ruby color. Lots of curry and spice on the nose, along with plum, cherry, truffle, earth, and dark chocolate. Still a little tight and ungiving on the palate. Dense, full-bodied, and very concentrated. Still has oak to integrate. The tannins are firm. Medium acidity. I would probably hold this for a few more years, as it seems a bit closed at this stage.
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2001 Château Angélus 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
One of my favorite vintages from Angélus, and definitely one of my favorite Bordeaux wines from 2001. So it wasn't surprising that it performed well in this vertical tasting. Lots of blackberry and blueberry to along with truffle, tobacco, and espresso. Richly concentrated and lots of depth. Even better on the palate, with vibrant acidity and excellent balance. The tannins still need several years to fully soften. This is still a great time to drink this, and though it's far from its peak.
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2000 Château Angélus 96 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Another one of the top wines of the vertical tasting. It's starting to turn the corner in its development, showing off some maturation. Surprisingly approachable right now, but still subdued. A very dark color, almost black. It showed off aromas of dark plum, cassis, truffle, earth, minerals, and licorice. Full-bodied and powerful, with a very long finish. It did shut down in the glass a bit, but the potential is obvious. Right now, I would probably drink the 2001 while waiting on the 2000.
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1997 Château Angélus 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Lighter in weight than the other wines, but a charmer nonetheless. Plum, black cherry, pepper, violets, and spice. More of an elegant feel on the palate. There was still some good depth. Some tannins left to resolve.
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1996 Château Angélus 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Not as complex and easy drinking. Red fruit, roses, tobacco, musk, and mushroom. Medium weight. Tannins essentially resolved. Just a hint of bitterness on the finish. I would drink this now, as it won't get better from here.
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1994 Château Angélus 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Drinking well, with a pretty, floral nose of violets, herbs, and truffle. Good complexity, a soft mouthfeel, and well-balanced tannins made this a highly enjoyable wine.
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1988 Château Angélus 89 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Not as strong as the last two bottles I have enjoyed from this vintage. Light ruby color. Nice matured aromas of dried cherries, cigar tobacco, and mushroom on the nose. Medium weight and good concentration. Had good complexity, but nowhere near the 1989 and 1990. A medium length finish, with firm tannins and prominent acidity. Overall was nice, but not at the level of the sublime 1989 and 1990 vintages. It appears that now is the time to drink this.
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