{"product_id":"chateau-angelus-saint-emilion-grand-cru-2018","title":"Chateau Angelus Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003eChâteau Angélus Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2018 is a benchmark Right Bank Bordeaux from one of the most revered estates in the appellation. In this powerful yet polished vintage, Angélus delivers remarkable depth, plush fruit and precision, wrapped in its signature Cabernet Franc-driven elegance. This is a collector-worthy wine that balances immediate allure with serious long-term aging potential.\n\nRecognised for its iconic bell-tower label and its former status as Premier Grand Cru Classé ‘A’, Château Angélus has long been a reference point for Saint-Émilion. The 2018 vintage, crafted from predominantly Merlot and Cabernet Franc, reflects both the richness of this warm year and the finesse of the estate’s hillside limestone and clay terroir, continuing a legacy that dates back to the 18th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2018 Angélus is deep, opaque garnet with a vibrant purple rim, signaling both concentration and youth. The nose is intense and layered: black cherry, ripe plum and cassis are interwoven with violets, graphite, cigar box, dark chocolate and a touch of exotic spice and espresso from the new French oak.\n\nOn the palate, this is full-bodied and velvety, with ripe, polished tannins that coat the mouth without ever feeling harsh. Black and blue fruits—blackberry, black cherry, mulberry—are lifted by a vibrant line of freshness, while notes of licorice, cedar, sweet tobacco and mocha add complexity on the long, persistent finish. The balance of richness, structure and acidity suggests a wine that will reward patience: while already impressive with a generous decant, it will evolve beautifully over 15–30+ years, gaining tertiary nuances of truffle, leather and forest floor.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChâteau Angélus lies on the southern slopes of Saint-Émilion, where clay and limestone soils form a natural amphitheatre—an ideal setting for Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The 2018 blend is dominated by Merlot, with a significant share of old-vine Cabernet Franc, which contributes aromatic lift and structure. Harvest is carried out by hand in small crates, parcel by parcel, allowing precise selection at optimal ripeness, followed by rigorous sorting in the cellar.\n\nVinification typically takes place in a combination of temperature-controlled stainless steel and concrete vats, with each parcel vinified separately to preserve its identity. Extraction is carefully managed to capture depth and silkiness without over-extracting tannins. The wine is then aged for around 18–22 months in predominantly new French oak barrels, where it gains additional texture, aromatic complexity and refinement before blending and bottling at the château.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChâteau Angélus 2018 is a natural partner for refined, flavourful dishes. Think roast lamb with herbs, dry-aged ribeye or côte de boeuf, venison or game birds, and classic French fare such as confit duck or beef Wellington. It also works beautifully with earthy accompaniments—truffle risotto, wild mushroom dishes, or gratins based on root vegetables and aged cheeses like Comté or aged Gouda.\n\nServe at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in large Bordeaux glasses to allow the aromas to fully express. In its youth, this vintage benefits from a generous decant of 2–3 hours to soften the tannins and open up the bouquet; older bottles (15+ years) will need a more delicate decanting just before serving to separate the wine from any sediment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChâteau Angélus is one of the most illustrious estates in Saint-Émilion, with family roots on the Right Bank of Bordeaux going back several generations. The modern history of Angélus has been shaped by the de Boüard de Laforest family, who have steadily elevated the property’s reputation through meticulous vineyard work and an unrelenting focus on quality. Its promotion to Premier Grand Cru Classé ‘A’ in the Saint-Émilion classification (a status it held until the estate chose to leave the system) placed it among the absolute elite of the appellation.\n\nKnown for championing Cabernet Franc in a Merlot-dominated region, Angélus has become a reference for richly textured, ageworthy wines that still retain freshness and aromatic purity. The estate has embraced precision viticulture, parcel-based vinification and carefully judged oak aging, earning consistently high critical acclaim and cementing its status as a must-have name in any serious Bordeaux collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Château Angélus","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54255153643857,"sku":"XW-44725","price":527.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/chateau-angelus-saint-emilion-grand-cru-2018_44725_1.jpg?v=1783456750","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/chateau-angelus-saint-emilion-grand-cru-2018","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}