Château Angélus
I was lucky to visit Château Angélus twice in the past two years. Once with the Commanderie de Bordeaux Singapore and once with Jean-Marc Quarin, teh french wine critic. The Chateau sits on the southern slopes of St-Emilion with the upper part touching the limestone plateau is one of St.Emilions top estates. The de Boüard de Laforest family has owned the property for over eight generations, but it was really under the leadership of Hubert de Boüard, starting in the 1980s, that Angélus began its modern ascent. A trained oenologist, Hubert introduced revolutionary techniques – such as optical sorting, gravity-fed cellars, and parcel-by-parcel vinification – that elevated the château’s reputation. In 2012, Angélus was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé “A”, a prestigious recognition it held until 2022, when it voluntarily left the classification. Today all wines are produced under the watch of Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal, who took over daily operations in 2012 and continues to continue the family tradition.
The terroir of Angélus is a key part of its signature. The vines are planted on a mix of clay, limestone, and sand at the foot of the slope, where Saint-Émilion’s plateau begins to roll down toward the Dordogne. This unique positioning gives the wines both power and finesse. Cabernet Franc plays a starring role – more so than at most Right Bank estates – alongside Merlot, contributing freshness, florality, and complexity. In warm vintages, the wines are plush and opulent; in cooler years, they retain elegance and lift. The style of Angélus is unmistakably bold, modern, and polished, often rich in fruit and oak when young, but aging into wines of depth and harmony, as we know it from Bordeaux. While I am personally more a left bank person, Angélus’ quality is undeniable and it stays behind the line of being overdone, unlike its peer Chateau Pavie for example who continues to be lost in the Parker era. So if you are a fan of a lusher Bordeaux Angélus is something not to miss in your cellar.
Beyond the Grand Vin, Angélus has a well established second wine, called Carillon d’Angélus, made from younger vines and slightly different terroirs but reflects the estate’s overall approach to quality and structure. An interesting learning of this visit was a new wine called Tempo. First time for me to taste it. Hubert de Boüard stopped by when he saw us with Jean-Marc and talked about the timely topic of how to attract younger customers to red Bordeaux. His wine Tempo is geared towards that. A wine that is polished, easy drinking but not simple like an off the mill Bordeaux blend. It is great to see how Angélus continues to adapt and innovate as the market evolves.
Discussing the wines with owner Hubert de Boüard and Benjamin Laforet the technical director since 2023
Château Angélus – Key Facts
Ownership: Boüard de Laforest family
Location: Saint-Émilion
Vineyard Size: 23.4 hectares
Annual Production: Approximately 10,000 cases
Grape Varietals: 51% Cabernet Franc, 47% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon
History: The Boüard de Laforest family has owned Château Angélus since 1909. The estate gained prominence under Hubert de Boüard de Laforest, who implemented modern winemaking techniques after joining in 1976.
Notable Features: Renowned for its harmonious blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, Angélus wines are celebrated for their generosity and polished mouth-feel. If you like this style you may also like Beauséjour-Duffau, Troplong Mondot, Hosanna, L Evangile, La Conseillante to name a few.
Angélus has just completed renovations (historical works done by the same team that renovated Notre Dame in Paris) and is looking stunning
Tasting Notes
2022 Château Angélus Tempo d’Angélus Bordeaux, 90 Points
Composed of 90/10 MN/CF, sourced from clay and limestone soils on the Côte de Castillon. This is a wine crafted for younger consumers seeking early pleasure, and it hits the mark. Rounded and polished on the palate, with sapid dark fruit, hints of black cherry and sweet tobacco. There’s a glossy sheen to the texture, yet the structure is finely judged – easy going but avoids being simple. Nice effort.
2022 Château Angélus Le Carillon de l’Angélus St. Émilion, 92 Points
This second label draws on clay-rich parcels and reveals a creamy bouquet of blackberries, cassis and well-integrated oak. Fleshy on the palate, showing a ripe, enveloping profile. There’s a nice spine of acidity that lends freshness and lift. Harmonious, but still very primary.
2003 Château Angélus St. Émilion Grand Cru, 95 Points
A really nice surprise. This 2003 carried the hot vintage well. Ripe but not oxidative, lovely notes of torrefaction. They managed the canicule well. Drinking at peak now
2015 Château Angélus St. Émilion Grand Cru, 94 Points
Lunch at restaurant Logis de la Cadene with the Chateau team. Lots of dark fruit with some red fruit, spices and vanilla as well. Modern, but in a good way, the balance is correct.
2016 Château Angélus St. Émilion Grand Cru, 95 Points
This bottle shows early signs of evolution, with aromatic notes of truffle, forest floor, mocha and a touch of prune. A richly fruited wine, perhaps a touch riper than expected for the vintage, though balanced by velvety tannins and a warm, enveloping finish. Approachable now with a decant and more in reserve with bottle age.
2022 Château Angélus St. Émilion Grand Cru, 96 Points
A powerful expression of the vintage, the 2022 Angélus offers a blend of dark fruit, plum and ripe black cherry, joined by a subtle red fruit brightness. The nose is toasty and still quite primary, with a sheen of polished oak. The palate is plush, the tannins velvety and sleek, yet there is impressive underlying structure that suggests good aging potential. A generous, yet refined Bordeaux wine.
Author: Christian Raubach, WSET III, FWS, WSG Champagne Master
May 2025