2018 Château Angélus Hommage à Elisabeth Bouchet Magnum

The 2018 Château Angélus Hommage à Elisabeth Bouchet Magnum is a profoundly rare and collector-worthy Saint-Émilion, crafted from old-vine Cabernet Franc and bottled here in an ultra-limited magnum format (this is bottle no. 46 of just 150). Conceived as a tribute to Elisabeth Bouchet, great-grandmother of co-owner and director Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal, it represents the most intimate and precise expression of Cabernet Franc (locally called Bouchet) at Angélus. Produced only in the greatest vintages and from just five barrels, this cuvée has already earned benchmark status among Right Bank Cabernet Francs and stands as one of the estate’s most coveted wines.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Hommage à Elisabeth Bouchet shows a deep, radiant ruby-purple hue with a vibrant rim that hints at both youth and remarkable concentration. The nose opens with haunting aromas of smoked roses and violets, unfolding into layers of black cherry, ripe black raspberry, and redcurrant wrapped in notes of tobacco leaf, fine cigar box, menthol, and a cool, graphite-like minerality. On the palate, this is all about purity and finesse – the sensation is almost like tasting perfectly ripe berries straight from the vine. The attack is smooth and silk-textured, leading into a medium to full-bodied core that is both lithe and powerful. Ripe red and black fruits are interwoven with subtle herbal tones, hints of fresh mint, pipe tobacco, and delicate spice from the oak. The tannins are ultra-fine and cashmere-soft, giving an impression of effortless elegance, while the acidity brings lift and precision to the long, seamless finish. This wine has substantial aging potential: in magnum format, expect it to evolve gracefully for 20–30+ years, gaining additional complexity, truffle, tobacco, and savory nuances over time.

Production
The fruit for Hommage à Elisabeth Bouchet comes from two tiny parcels of old-vine Cabernet Franc (Bouchet) located in the south-western corner of the Angélus vineyard, a natural amphitheatre on the southern slopes and foot of Saint-Émilion. Here, a finely tuned balance of clay and limestone ensures excellent water and mineral regulation, with merlot generally occupying the more clay-rich flanks and Cabernet Franc thriving on the sand-clay-limestone soils at the foot of the slope. The south-facing exposure and amphitheatre effect gently raise temperatures in summer, promoting even, optimal ripening, while the natural slope provides perfect drainage. Grapes are meticulously hand-harvested at ideal maturity and sorted with extreme care given the minute production. Vinification is tailored to preserve the purity and singular character of old-vine Cabernet Franc, followed by élevage in a mix of 80% new French oak barrels and 20% larger foudres, allowing the wine to gain texture and complexity without overwhelming its floral, mineral-driven personality. Only five barrels were produced, with each bottle individually boxed and numbered.

Food & Serving
This is a contemplative, grand vin best enjoyed with refined, subtly prepared dishes that highlight its elegance rather than overpower it. Think roasted lamb saddle with herbs, pigeon or squab, veal tenderloin with truffle jus, or a simply grilled prime beef fillet with wild mushrooms. It also pairs beautifully with dishes featuring earthy components such as morels, cèpes, or black truffle, and with well-aged, hard cheeses like Comté or old Cantal. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to bring out its full aromatic spectrum. Given its youth and concentration, decanting for 2–3 hours is recommended in the near term to allow the wine to unfurl; as it matures, a shorter decant of 60 minutes will be sufficient to awaken its most subtle nuances.

Producer
Château Angélus is one of Saint-Émilion’s most illustrious estates, famously promoted in 2012 to the top rank of the appellation’s classification, joining a select group of only four properties (with Cheval Blanc, Ausone, and Pavie) at the pinnacle. The estate has been in the hands of the Boüard de Laforest family for eight generations, with Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal and her nephew Thierry Grenié-de Boüard now guiding the château into a new era. Stéphanie is the third woman in the family to lead Angélus, embodying values of integrity, hard work, humility, and a deep sense of duty to the land and its history. Under the visionary influence of Hubert de Boüard and his successors, Angélus has become synonymous with precision, innovation, and a distinctive Cabernet Franc–driven style. The Hommage à Elisabeth Bouchet cuvée sits at the very apex of the estate’s production, celebrating both a family legacy and the timeless greatness of Saint-Émilion’s terroir.

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