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 the winegrowers could hear the bells of three neighbouring churches — the chapel of Mazerat, the church of Saint-Martin, and that of Saint-Émilion — ring the Angelus, the Christian prayer marking the rhythm of the day. This detail inspired not only the name of the estate, but also its emblem: a golden bell, a symbol of elegance and tradition.

Classified as 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 renowned Émile Peynaud. Hubert modernised viticultural and winemaking practices, introducing innovative techniques for the time, such as fermentation in open vats, lees ageing, and parcel 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 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. Accompanied by her cousin Thierry Grenié de Boüard since 2016, she has infused new energy, notably by converting the vineyard to organic farming (certified in 2021) and 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 Vines of Château Angélus

The vineyard of Château Angélus, extending over 42 hectares of which 27 hectares are classified for the grand vin, benefits from an exceptional terroir situated in a natural amphitheatre on the slope and the southern foot of the slope of Saint-Émilion. This geographical configuration concentrates summer temperatures, encouraging 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 regular 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 variety composition is a hallmark of its identity: approximately 50% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. The high proportion of Cabernet Franc, the signature of Angélus, is particularly well suited to the warm soils at the foot of the slope, where old vines — some more than 60 years old — produce grapes of exceptional quality. These vines, planted at a density of 6,500 to 8,600 vines per hectare, are carefully cultivated, partly grassed over, and benefit from traditional viticultural practices such as the two-arm Guyot pruning, de-budding, and manual thinning. Since 2018, the vineyard has been farmed organically, with the introduction of draught 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 ageing potential.

Winemaking at Château Angélus

Winemaking at Château Angélus is a model of precision, combining tradition and innovation to sublimate the potential of the terroir. The grapes, harvested by hand with rigorous sorting in the vineyard, undergo a second sorting in the chai, often with the aid of 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 guaranteeing optimal freshness.

The vinification of the grand vin Château Angélus is carried out in a combination of wooden, stainless steel, and concrete vats, 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 grand vin, while 50% of the Cabernet Franc is aged in neutral large oak casks, enhancing the purity and freshness of the aromas. The ageing, lasting 18 to 24 months, is carried out 100% in new barrels for the grand vin, with a period on the lees until June to enrich the texture and complexity.

Carillon d'Angélus, the estate's second wine, is vinified in a dedicated chai built in 2019, using stainless steel vats and aged for 16 months in barrels (60% new). N°3 d'Angélus, sourced from young vines, benefits from a shorter ageing period in one- or two-wine barrels, favouring an accessible and fruity style. Each cuvée is crafted with the same exacting standards, guaranteeing 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 almost equal proportions, with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon. It is distinguished by its deep colour, its aromas of black fruits, spices, and mentholated notes, carried by silky tannins and remarkable freshness. This opulent and structured wine offers an ageing potential of 12 to 35 years, reaching its peak after 15 years in the greatest vintages such as 2005, 2009, 2010, or 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 mere 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 charms with its pure aromas of red fruits, velvety tannins, and elegant finish. Vinified with the same rigour as the grand vin, in a modern chai inaugurated in 2019, Carillon d'Angélus is approachable earlier, offering immediate pleasure while being capable of ageing 10 to 15 years. An ideal introduction to the world of Angélus.

N°3 d'Angélus - Saint-Émilion

N°3 d'Angélus, the estate's third wine, is designed for immediate pleasure. Sourced from young vines and dominated by Merlot (85–90%), this Saint-Émilion is characterised 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 capacity of 5 to 8 years. Perfect for those seeking a charming and approachable Saint-Émilion wine.

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 chai, offers an accessible and indulgent interpretation of the Angélus world. 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) sourced from a 0.5-hectare plot. Vinified in concrete vats and aged primarily in large oak casks, this cuvée reveals exceptional elegance, with spicy, mentholated notes and a silky texture. With only 1,200 bottles per vintage, it is a true collector's item for lovers of rare wines.

The Best Vintages of Château Angélus According to Robert Parker

The 2005 vintage of Château Angélus achieved excellence with a perfect score of 100/100 awarded by Robert Parker. The vintages 1990, 2000, 2009, and 2010, rated 99/100, bear witness to the exceptional consistency of this estate. The years 1998, 2003, and 2016, evaluated at 98/100, underline 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 iconic jewel of the Bordeaux wine region, 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 ageing potential. More recently, the vintages 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 stand out for their balance, aromatic intensity, and structure, further strengthening 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, consolidates 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 symbols of timeless 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 seeking the prestigious Château Angélus, the charming Carillon d'Angélus, the accessible 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 seduced by the timeless heritage of Angélus, an estate where every bottle is a promise of refinement and pleasure.