
2018
฿฿฿฿
Rated 100/100 by Wine Advocate (top 1% of their reviews).
From our sommelier team
A Premier Grand Cru Classé A Saint-Émilion blending Merlot and Cabernet Franc (with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon) into a rich, opulent, generously textured style, made by the Boüard de Laforest family since 1782.
Château Angélus lies on the south-facing slope just below the town of Saint-Émilion, close enough to the town's historic bell tower that the estate takes its name and its emblem — a set of bells that ring the Angelus — from the sound carrying across the vineyard. The blend is built primarily from Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with a small remaining share of Cabernet Sauvignon; the exact ratio shifts by vintage but has increasingly leaned toward a larger share of Cabernet Franc in recent releases, a deliberate stylistic choice by the estate. Angélus is farmed organically and vinified with a hands-on, detail-focused approach, producing a wine known for its opulence: dense, ripe dark fruit, a plush, generous texture, and refined but noticeable oak influence, in a style that reads as more overtly rich and modern than the more austere, tannin-led wines historically associated with parts of the Right Bank. The estate was elevated to Saint-Émilion's top rank, Premier Grand Cru Classé A, in the 2012 classification; it withdrew from the subsequent 2022 classification cycle rather than being reassessed, so its most recent officially confirmed rank dates to 2012.
Signature pairings
- Roast rack of lamb with a red wine jus — The wine's ripe, plush fruit and moderate tannin are built to match the richness of lamb, while a red-wine-based sauce bridges the gap between food and glass.
- Braised short rib — Angélus's dense, opulent texture and dark fruit pair naturally with the collagen-rich richness of slow-braised short rib, and the wine's refined oak note complements the caramelized braising liquid.
- Thai grilled beef salad (neua nam tok), made mild (เนื้อน้ำตก) — Grilled beef with charred, savory notes matches the wine's ripe, generous fruit, but the dish's usual lime and chili dressing should be toned down — Angélus's plush tannin can turn harsh against a heavily chili-forward version, so this pairing works best when heat is kept low.
Château Angélus is one of the most iconic estates in Bordeaux and a symbol of Saint-Émilion excellence. The château takes its name from the church bells (Angélus) whose ringing could historically be heard from the vineyard, marking the rhythm of life in the region for generations.
Situated on the prestigious south-facing slopes of Saint-Émilion, Angélus benefits from an exceptional terroir of clay, limestone, and sandy soils. The estate is particularly renowned for its unusually high proportion of Cabernet Franc, which contributes aromatic complexity, freshness, and structure alongside the richness of Merlot.
The 2018 vintage is considered one of the great modern Bordeaux vintages. A warm and dry growing season produced grapes of exceptional concentration and ripeness, while careful vineyard management preserved freshness and balance. At Angélus, the vintage resulted in a wine of remarkable depth, power, and precision.
Aged in French oak barrels, the wine combines intensity and refinement, delivering the opulence for which Angélus is famous while maintaining the elegance and sophistication expected of a First Growth-level Saint-Émilion.
The result is a monumental Bordeaux that can be enjoyed in its youth with decanting but will continue to evolve beautifully for decades.
Details
- Country
- France
- Region
- Bordeaux
- Subregion
- Saint-Émilion
- Variety
- Bordeaux Blend
- Vintage
- 2018 **
- Bottle size
- 750 ml
** Vintage may change — please confirm with our team before ordering.
Taste profile
- Body
- Full
- Acidity
- Medium
- Tannin
- Medium-High
Pairs well with
- Roast chicken
- Pork dishes
- Pasta with meat sauce
- Pizza
- Medium-aged cheese
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