1986 Angelus
By Chateau Angelus
1986 Angelus from Chateau Angelus, Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux
The 1986 Angelus from Chateau Angelus is a vintage that vividly encapsulates the fortitude of Bordeaux's Saint-Emilion terroir. Nurtured by the artisanal hands at Chateau Angelus, this vintage sings a hymn to the estate's reputation for producing wines of profound depth and elegance.
Eloquence in Age: A Testament to Time
One must acknowledge the favourable conditions of an idyllic growing season in 1986 that have exquisitely sculpted this wine into a paragon of fine investment and hedonistic pleasure. Throughout its evolution, the 1986 Angelus reveals a remarkable balance and structure that entice the collector and enthusiast alike. As I take myself back to that pivotal year, the 1986 vintage stands out as a bastion of longevity, now in its resplendent maturity.
A Vintage With Distinction
Tending towards full body, the 1986 Angelus charms with an intricate layering of ripened plum and tobacco notes—a palette born from the marriage of Merlot and Cabernet Franc under Saint-Emilion's sun. An undercurrent of truffle and leather bespeaks its age, adding complexity that only time can bestow. A velvety yet assertive tannin structure frames this masterpiece, ensuring continued grace as it ages further within cellars around the globe.
The impeccable symphony between fruit expression and secondary nuances expertly validates this wine's stature among fine wine investors. This very vintage is quintessential for those who strive to curate selections that not only appreciate in value but also narrate the history of their times.
In Closing: A Narrative in a Bottle
The testament of 1986 at Chateau Angelus is one echoed through its present state—a wine that not only recalls the story of its birth year with poise but promises additional chapters in its ongoing tale. Harmonising investment potential with sensory delight, the 1986 Angelus stands as a luminous example of what savvy collectors relish finding. Noble and inviting, it is a cornerstone for those who appreciate the intricacies of maturity in a Saint-Emilion treasure.
Market price (USD)
$4,310.00
12x75cl
Highest score
88
POP score
441.25
Scores and tasting notes
Fully mature, the garnet-colored 1986 has a broad, expansive, forward bouquet of ripe plums, spicy, smoky new oak, compost, and tapenade. On the palate, this mature wine displays richness, length, and ripeness. It is unlikely to improve. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 12/02.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 31 December 2002
Tasted at Farr Vintners' vertical from ex-chateau magnum. I recall this being superior five years ago. Here, I am not particularly taken by the 1986. It has a rather aloof character, little in the way of fruite with touches of mint and sage. The palate is medium-bodied with a touch of mushroom on the entry: masculine and tannic, the Cabernet Franc dominant with a rather foursquare, cedar and sous-bois finish that needs more joie-de-vivre. Drink up Tasted October 2011.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Mar 2012