wine details
reviews
James Suckling 97-98/100The transparency of fruit and the finesse is really something here. There’s depth and beauty to the pristine, fresh fruit. Full-bodied and muscular with wonderful tannins that provide tension and form. Subtle and weightless, this is a thought-provoking young wine. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc.
Neal Martin Vinous 94-96/100
The 2023 Angélus is the traditional blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. It aged for 20 months in new oak with just over half the Cabernet Franc aged in foudres (the Merlot is apparently less receptive to this larger vessel). It has a crisp and precise bouquet, not powerful, a light marine influence coming through with background scents of oyster shell. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins. There’s a pleasant saline edge to this Angélus, perhaps a little more compact on the mid-palate than usual, with touches of white pepper toward the finish. It needs a little more persistency on the aftertaste. This will deserve five of six years in bottle.
Glengarry Review
The team at Château Angelus give each vintage a name, this year 'The Independent' A vintage that decided what it was going to do, it's own style. The 2023 is exactly that, a charming style of Angelus that is not stereotypically this property in the past, a new expression and I like it. Château Angelus suffered from no frost or mildew this year, but did have many nights of storm, the impacts minimal due to the slope of their vineyard. Picking started on the 14th September for the Merlot and on the 26th September for the Cabernet Franc. 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc, 30 hl/ha. 50% of the Cabernet Franc aged in foudre. A gentle wine, it is all about finesse and elegance with a high level of definition. The tannins silky, cashmere and perfectly poised to wrap around the wine.
Antonio Galloni Vinous 94-96/100
The 2023 Angélus is elegant and polished right out of the gate. Floral top notes and bright acids bring out the more refined side of Angélus. The 2023 shows how much Angélus has evolved in recent years. Bright red-toned fruit, blood orange, mint and rose petal lend notable verve. The blend is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. About half of the Franc is being raised in foudre. All the elements are so well integrated for a young wine. It is one of the best recent vintages I have tasted. 2030-2053
The Wine Advocate 95-96/100
A classic blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Angélus reflects this estate's continuing evolution with regard to ripeness, extraction and élevage choices, offering up attractive aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with hints of mint, potpourri, rose petals, vine smoke and orange zest. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and supple, with a velvety attack that segues into a core of pure, pillowy fruit framed by supple, powdery tannins, it's cool and harmonious, concluding with a long, perfumed finish. This is a terrific effort that foregrounds the vintage and the terroir at their best.