Château Angélus

History of Château Angélus

The history of Château Angélus is above all the story of a family saga that began in 1782, when Jean de Boüard de Laforest settled in Saint-Émilion. However, it was at the beginning of the 20th century that the estate truly took shape under Maurice de Boüard de Laforest, who inherited Château Mazerat in 1910. In 1922, his wife Elisabeth Bouchet acquired a 3-hectare plot named Clos de l'Angélus, so called because of its unique geographical situation: a place where vineyard workers could hear the bells of three neighboring churches — the Mazerat chapel, the Saint-Martin church, and that of Saint-Émilion — ring the Angelus, a Christian prayer marking the rhythm of the day. This detail inspired not only the estate's name but also its emblem: a golden bell, a symbol of elegance and tradition.

Classified as a Grand Cru Classé as early as 1954, the estate underwent a major transformation from 1985 onwards under the impetus of Hubert de Boüard de Laforest, a visionary oenologist trained under the celebrated Émile Peynaud. Hubert modernized viticultural and winemaking practices, introducing innovative techniques for the time, such as fermentation in open vats, aging on lees, and plot-by-plot selection. These innovations propelled Château Angélus to the forefront of the Right Bank. In 2012, the estate reached its pinnacle with its promotion to Premier Grand Cru Classé A, a distinction shared with only three other estates in Saint-Émilion. However, in 2022, Château Angélus chose to withdraw from the classification, preferring to assert its identity through the quality of its wines rather than through an institutional label.

Since 2012, Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal, the eighth generation of the family, has led the estate with a vision combining respect for heritage and modernity. Joined by her cousin Thierry Grenié de Boüard in 2016, she has brought a new energy, notably by converting the vineyard to organic farming (certified in 2021) and by pursuing a quest for elegance and balance in the wines. This family story, rooted in passion and exacting standards, makes Château Angélus an essential reference for lovers of Saint-Émilion wines.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Château Angélus

The vineyard of Château Angélus, spanning 42 hectares of which 27 are classified for the fine wine, benefits from an exceptional terroir situated in a natural amphitheater on the slope and the foot of the southern hillside of Saint-Émilion. This geographical configuration concentrates summer temperatures, promoting early ripening of the grapes. The soils, predominantly clay-limestone on the upper part (ideal for Merlot) and sandy-clay-limestone at the foot of the slope (perfect for Cabernet Franc), offer natural drainage thanks to the gradient and a steady supply of water and minerals. This diversity of soils, combined with a full south-facing exposure, lends the wines a unique complexity.

The estate's grape varieties are a marker of its identity: approximately 50% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. The high proportion of Cabernet Franc, Angélus's signature, is particularly well suited to the warm soils at the foot of the slope, where old vines — some over 60 years old — produce grapes of exceptional quality. These vines, planted at a density of 6,500 to 8,600 plants per hectare, are carefully cultivated, partly under grass cover, and benefit from traditional viticultural practices such as the two-arm Guyot pruning, hand de-budding, and manual thinning. Since 2018, the vineyard has been managed using organic farming, with the introduction of draft horses to work certain soils, reinforcing the estate's commitment to a preserved ecosystem.

The Saint-Émilion terroir of Angélus, combined with this meticulous management, produces grapes of unparalleled aromatic richness and finesse, giving rise to wines that are elegant, powerful, and endowed with remarkable aging potential.

Winemaking at Château Angélus

Winemaking at Château Angélus is a model of precision, combining tradition and innovation to bring out the full potential of the terroir. The grapes, harvested by hand with rigorous sorting in the vineyard, undergo a second sorting at the winery, often using optical sorting technology. Since 2009, a portion of the harvest, particularly for the Cabernet Franc, is destemmed by hand to preserve the integrity of the berries and limit oxidation, thereby ensuring optimal freshness.

The vinification of the fine wine Château Angélus takes place in a combination of wooden, stainless steel, and concrete tanks, each making a specific contribution: wood for the tannins, stainless steel for freshness, and concrete for the purity of the fruit. A cold maceration of a few days precedes a controlled fermentation at 28–32 °C. Malolactic fermentation takes place in new French oak barrels for the fine wine, while 50% of the Cabernet Franc is aged in neutral large casks, enhancing the purity and freshness of the aromas. Aging, lasting 18 to 24 months, is carried out in 100% new barrels for the fine wine, with a stay on lees until June to enrich the texture and complexity.

Carillon d'Angélus, the estate's second wine, is vinified in a dedicated winery built in 2019, using stainless steel tanks and aged for 16 months in barrels (60% new). N°3 d'Angélus, sourced from young vines, benefits from a shorter aging period in one- or two-wine barrels, favoring an approachable, fruit-forward style. Each cuvée is crafted with the same exacting standards, ensuring consistent quality and a faithful expression of the terroir.

The Cuvées of Château Angélus

Château Angélus - Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

Château Angélus, the estate's flagship wine, is a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru of rare complexity and elegance. Sourced from the 27 classified hectares, this wine blends Merlot and Cabernet Franc in nearly equal proportions, with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon. It stands out for its deep color, aromas of dark fruits, spices, and menthol notes, carried by silky tannins and remarkable freshness. Opulent and structured, this wine offers a cellaring potential of 12 to 35 years, reaching its peak after 15 years in great vintages such as 2005, 2009, 2010, and 2020. Perfect for lovers of complex and refined Bordeaux wines.

Carillon d'Angélus - Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 

Launched in 1987, Carillon d'Angélus is not a simple second wine but a cuvée in its own right, sourced from dedicated plots across 18 hectares. Dominated by Merlot (90%), complemented by Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine captivates with its pure red fruit aromas, velvety tannins, and elegant finish. Vinified with the same rigor as the fine wine, in a modern winery inaugurated in 2019, Carillon d'Angélus is approachable earlier, offering immediate pleasure while being capable of aging 10 to 15 years. An ideal entry point into the world of Angélus.

N°3 d'Angélus - Saint-Émilion

N°3 d'Angélus, the estate's third wine, is crafted for immediate enjoyment. Made from young vines and dominated by Merlot (85–90%), this Saint-Émilion is characterized by its roundness, finesse, and fruity aromas. Aged in one- or two-wine barrels, it offers rare accessibility for an estate wine, while retaining a cellaring potential of 5 to 8 years. Perfect for lovers seeking a charming and approachable Saint-Émilion.

Tempo d'Angélus - Bordeaux

Introduced in 2019, Tempo d'Angélus is a cuvée under the Bordeaux appellation, produced from vines located in Castillon-la-Bataille and Sainte-Colombe. This wine, crafted in a dedicated winery, offers an accessible and indulgent expression of the Angélus universe. With a complex structure and fruity aromas, Tempo d'Angélus is ideal for enthusiasts wishing to discover the estate's signature style at a more affordable price.

Hommage à Elisabeth Bouchet - Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

Reserved for the greatest vintages, Hommage à Elisabeth Bouchet is a rare cuvée produced from century-old Cabernet Franc vines (65 to 100 years old) from a 0.5-hectare plot. Vinified in concrete tanks and aged primarily in large oak casks, this cuvée reveals exceptional elegance, with spiced, menthol notes and a silky texture. With only 1,200 bottles per vintage, it is a true collector's wine for lovers of rare wines.

The Best Vintages of Château Angélus According to Robert Parker

The 2005 vintage of Château Angélus achieved perfection with a flawless score of 100/100 awarded by Robert Parker. The 1990, 2000, 2009, and 2010 vintages, rated 99/100, attest to the exceptional consistency of this estate. The 1998, 2003, and 2016 vintages, evaluated at 98/100, underscore the remarkable quality of these wines. The special 2016 edition "Hommage à Elisabeth Bouchet" also received a score of 100/100, celebrating the elegance and unique depth of this exceptional cru.

The Great Vintages of Saint-Émilion

Saint-Émilion, an emblematic jewel of the Bordeaux vineyard, shines through its exceptional vintages, captivating lovers of prestigious red wines. Legendary years such as 1947, 1959, and 1961 stand as essential references in the viticultural history of Bordeaux. The 1982 vintage, a true icon, continues to dazzle wine enthusiasts with its richness. Over the decades, Saint-Émilion has maintained its prestige with remarkable years such as 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2005, all celebrated for their complexity and exceptional aging potential. More recently, the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages stand out for their balance, aromatic intensity, and structure, reinforcing the worldwide renown of this Right Bank appellation. Thanks to a unique terroir, Saint-Émilion produces elegant and consistent wines, true treasures for connoisseurs.

Other Essential Châteaux of Saint-Émilion

At the heart of Saint-Émilion, the Premiers Grands Crus Classés A embody the excellence of Bordeaux viticulture. Château Pavie, promoted in 2012, captivates with the elegance and power of its wines. Château Figeac, recently elevated to Premier Grand Cru Classé A in 2022, has consolidated its place among the elite. Other prestigious estates, such as Château Angélus, Château Ausone, and Château Cheval Blanc, although having chosen to leave the classification in 2022, remain timeless symbols of excellence. These châteaux, combining tradition and innovation, continue to captivate lovers of great wines, affirming their heritage in the Right Bank vineyard.

Château Angélus is far more than a wine estate: it is a symbol of Bordeaux excellence, carried forward by eight generations of passion and innovation. Its unique terroir, its commitment to organic farming, and its surgically precise winemaking give rise to wines of unparalleled elegance and complexity. Whether you are looking for the prestigious Château Angélus, the charming Carillon d'Angélus, the approachable N°3 d'Angélus, or the indulgent Tempo d'Angélus, Vins & Millésime offers you an exclusive selection to satisfy the most discerning palates. Discover these exceptional Saint-Émilion wines now and let yourself be captivated by the timeless heritage of Angélus, an estate where every bottle is a promise of refinement and pleasure.