Château Angélus 2008

A ripe, flashy style, with alluring espresso and cocoa aromas giving way to layers of plum sauce, fig and prune. Dark and fleshy through the creamy-textured finish, with a flash of minerality checking in. Drink now through 2019. 6,665 cases made.

Emphasis here on the delicacy of Cabernet Franc, with more dark fruit flavours than many vintages, a little more sombre. Still very young, with tension that runs right through the palate, stretching things out and giving plenty of time for subtle hints of black truffle, saffron, cinnamon, even fig puree notes to come up into the wine, finishing with fresh eucalyptus. This is a glass that needs time; while the 2007 is ready to go, this needs a little longer to really open up. Harvest October 3rd to 21st.

Luscious new-oak scent still leads the nose, with rich black fruit that has a slightly confected edge to it. Grainy tannins give a tight finish, and the persistence is still oak-centric in flavour profile. (RH)

The 2008 Angélus is a vintage that I have tasted many times. It boasts a rich but fortunately not overbearing bouquet adorned with macerated red cherries, camphor, hints of jalapeño pepper and later, a tang of dried blood, almost ferrous. The palate is medium-bodied with smooth polished tannin matched with well-judged acidity. It is backward in style to the point that you could almost describe it as “charmless,” though that is by dint of its youthfulness. It just needs time. Signaling that this Angélus clams up towards the finish as if to say: “Too early.” You know what? It is probably right. (Tasted at the château and at BI Wine & Spirits’ annual vertical tasting.)

Very dense purple with violet highlights. Insane bouquet, sweet roasted notes, red cherries, wild raspberries and a spicy touch of cedar. On the palate, less an overwhelming bomb than a stylish statement: a Premier Grand Cru first impresses above all with finesse. Only then does it strike with power.

Very dense purple with violet highlights. Crazy bouquet where, within the sweet roasted notes, red cherries, wild raspberries, and a spicy hint of cedar emerge. On the palate, for once it’s not an overwhelming bomb, but an Angélus aware that a Premier Grand Cru must win you over first with finesse and only then with power.

A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2008 Angelus is deep garnet in color, with a touch of brick. It bursts from the glass with ready-to-go notes of prunes, baked black cherries, and mulberries, followed by hints of black truffles, black olives, and tilled soil. The medium to full-bodied palate is plush and juicy, with nicely mature black fruit and bags of savory accents, finishing long and earthy.

A dense, empyreumatic wine, very Saint-Emilion in style with lovely tannins; overall it is elegant and charming.

A complete wine, from the black currant fruits through the balanced tannins to the acidity. It is sturdy, complex, a wine that is already singing and will age well.