Château l'Angélus 2025 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé - OWC3

Wine Advocate
96-98 punten
A blend of equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot, the 2025 Angélus is already beautifully harmonious, even at this early stage. Unfurling in the glass with notes of sweet dark berries and plums mingled with notions of violets, licorice and spices, it's medium- to full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with ripe tannins, lively acids and a long, perfumed finish. Much like its 2022 predecessor, the 2025 underlines that this estate's shift toward greater purity and subtler élevage choices can be sustained even in historically warm years.

Falstaff
98 punten
Dark ruby-garnet, opaque core, violet highlights, delicate lightening at the rim. Delicate red berry notes, a hint of cranberries, fresh red cherry fruit, a pleasant hint of herbal spice, subtle notes of fine wood. Juicy, elegant, red cherries again, fine, mature tannins, finely structured, salty finish, mineral and long-lasting, heart cherries on the finish, definite aging potential, very elegant, approachable style.

Vinous
95-97+ punten
The 2025 Angélus (50% Cabernet Franc, 50% Merlot) is a superb contemporary Grand Vin. Aromatic, vibrant and wonderfully fresh, the 2025 dazzles from start to finish. Blood orange, mint, white pepper, rose petal and chalk weave through layers of vibrant red-toned fruit. Here, too, the Grand Vin impresses with its noble purity and understated grace. Élevage is 50% foudre/50% new oak for the Cabernet Franc, and 60% new oak/40% once-filled barrels for the Merlot. I can't wait to see how this ages.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
97 punten
The depths are immediately apparent, clear polished stones, liquorice root, olive pit, espresso, cappuccino, full of the luscious signature of the estate, clutches of sage and freshly cut herbs, savoury with a pumice stone climb through the palate. Benjamin Laforêt technical director. Harvest September 10 to 20, 30hl/ha yield, 3.65ph. The Boüard-owned Château Bellevue plots have been included in here as of 2022, ad you can imagine that this vintage really benefited from its limestone soils. As of 2026 vintage Angelus will be made in the new cellar.

Decanter
97 punten
A great wine from Angélus this year. Blackcurrant and blue fruit aromas with some dried flowers and soft herbal aspects. Round and generous, wide and filling with amazing definition and creamy texture that few wines have this year. Energy and depth, purity and focus – this is juicy at its core with strawberry and red cherry, mouthwatering. Not an immediate showstopper but this grows in flavour and depth with intensity but no heaviness. Beautiful delineation with a sharp, precise, forward persistence. The energy and balance is flawless. Really an elegant, elongated wine with such nuance of flavour. I love this and think they've done a super job – juicy, this brings a smile to your face. The last vintage with this high a proportion of Cabernet Franc (reflecting plantings and similar berry size was 2014 and 1995). 3.6pH. A yield of 30hl/ha. 50% Cabernet Franc ageing in foudres, 50% in new barrels; Merlot 70% new oak and 30% in one-year-old barrels.

Jancis Robinson
18/20 punten
Deep purple colour. Nose bright, lifted and fragrant. Concentrated but finely honed, the tannins powerful but refined. Good tension. Structured with plenty of vigour but all well contained.