2020 Angelus
By Chateau Angelus
The 2020 Angelus from Chateau Angelus, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux
As the tapestry of the 2020 Bordeaux vintage unfurls, the offerings from Saint-Emilion command particular attention. Amidst the expanse of exceptional viticulture, the 2020 Angelus from Chateau Angelus emerges with a narrative woven from the distinct climatic conditions of this iconic year.
A Vintage Characterised by Vigilance and Virtue
The 2020 growing season was an odyssey marked by contrasts - a balmy spring nudged by early bud break followed by capricious spells that tested even the most dedicated vintners. Amidst these trials, diligent attention and mastery over the vineyard terrains have birthed a vintage that pronounces both resilience and finesse in equal measure. At Chateau Angelus, the micro-adjustments in canopy management and picking schedules epitomise a fastidious exercise honed over decades.
An Emblematic Expression In Every Glass
A tasting reveals that the 2020 Angelus articulates the tenor of its vintage with eloquence – it’s a tapestry rich with opulent dark fruit underscored by finely-knit tannins and an underlying structure promising longevity. The interplay of Merlot and Cabernet Franc within this blend etches out a narrative that is uniquely Saint-Emilion, yet undeniably Angelus. Vibrant blackberry and plum notes pirouette around subtler hints of licorice and graphite, casting shadows of depth consonant with a vintage destined to be chronicled amongst Bordeaux's memorable oeuvres.
Acutely investible, this iteration holds the DNA that collectors and investors ache to have within their portfolios. It is the crystallisation of climatic challenge transmuted into a liquid artistry: a Saint-Emilion treasure that vaults beyond its peer group as a result of steadfast human endeavour paired with an exceptionally benevolent September reprieve which offered optimal harvesting conditions.
Securing allusions across one's palate, the 2020 Angelus harbours at its heart an intersection where time-honoured tradition meets contemporary mastery - not just a reflection of Chateau Angelus' heritage, but rather an embodiment of how each curated sip integrates storied past with infinitely anticipative future.
In conclusion, as this wine's complexion matures through coming decades, it remains a resonant reminder that exceptional Burgundy vintages like 2020 are keystone chapters in an ever-evolving epicurean saga - one that discerning investors should be keen to include in their chronicles.
Market price (GBP)
£2,360.00
12x75cl
Highest score
99
POP score
124.21
Scores and tasting notes
The 2020 Angélus has an opaque purple-black color, pulling you in with a captivating perfume of kirsch, Black Forest cake, ripe plums, violets and molten licorice, followed by wafts of underbrush, raspberry leaves and graphite, plus a hint of clove oil. The medium to full-bodied palate already offers beautiful balance and expression at this nascent stage, featuring bright, crunchy red and black fruits with remarkable energy and tension. Its amazingly plush, silken texture carries all these shimmering flavors to a very long and fragrant finish. This jaw-dropping expression of 2020 is simply stunning. The blend this year is 40% Cabernet Franc and 60% Merlot, due to be aged 18-22 months in French oak barriques, 100% new, and two new foudres. The wine has pH of 3.65 pH and an alcohol of 14.5%.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 20 May 2021