Château Angélus - No. 3 d'Angélus 2017
Price: $80.00
| Producer | Château Angélus |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Subregion | Saint-Émilion |
| Varietal | Merlot, Cabernet Franc |
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Sku | 000083 |
| ABV | 13.00% |
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The earliest references to the Boüard de Laforest family, proprietors of Château Angélus, can be found in Saint-Émilion in 1544. The estate was bequeathed to Comte Maurice de Boüard de Laforest in 1909, and expansions in 1926 and 1969 have brought the current property to just over 27 hectares. The vineyards are situated in a natural amphitheater with a southerly exposure and located at the esteemed "foot of the hill" where Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon are grown in soils composed of sandstone, limestone and clay. Three Saint-Émilion churches overlook the vineyards, their bells tolling the angelus peal, or call to prayer, which is amplified throughout the vineyards of the Château, and give the estate its symbol and name.
Château Angélus is currently run by Hubert de Boüard de Laforest, and his daughter Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal. Hubert joined the family business in 1976 after concluding his studies at the Faculté d'Oenologie in Bordeaux, and Stéphanie, the eighth generation of the family and third woman, took over as Managing Director in 2012. Hubert and Stéphanie's techniques in the vineyard are at the cutting edge of modern viniculture, employing incredibly precise and labor intensive methods to grow, and then select, the perfect grapes for each vintage. The devotion in the vineyard and cellar have resulted in Château Angélus attaining Premier Grand Cru Classé "A" status in 2012, joining Châteaux Pavie, Cheval Blanc and Ausone as the only Saint-Émilion estates to receive this distinction.
No. 3 d'Angélus, a blend of 85% Merlot, balanced with Cabernet Franc, is made with all of the same practices in the the vineyard and cellar as the Grand Vin and Le Carillon d'Angélus (the estate's second label). The wine does not see any new oak, instead only one to three-year-old barrels are used. This Saint-Émilion Grand Cru pours an eye-catching light ruby in the glass. Entrancing aromas of ripe red currant, red berries and plum, accented with a touch of graphite and subtle floral notes waft effortlessly from the glass, dazzling the olfactory senses. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with perfectly balanced acidity and svelte, fine-grained tannins. The volume of the wine is expansive, but composed, staying perfectly attuned to all its structural components. Effortless to drink, No. 3 d'Angélus shows the immaculate pedigree of the estate, the attention to detail present at all parts of the winemaking process and how the utmost dedication and commitment will produce a wine that is nothing short of amazing. And this is the Château's third label! Decant for at least one hour prior to serving or tuck away some bottles in the cellar for another 5+ years. This is an excellent way to experience the terroir of one of the best wine producers, not only in Bordeaux, not even all of France, but in the entire world.
