Château Angélus 2008

Tasting notes and recommendations for Château Angélus 2008

Tasting

Color

The color displays a deep purple hue, reflecting the concentration and ripeness of the grapes.

Nose

The bouquet reveals intense aromas of blackcurrant and black cherry, accompanied by floral notes of violet. Hints of undergrowth, pencil lead, and white truffle add wonderful complexity. With aeration, touches of sweet spices, tobacco, and vanilla emerge.

Palate

The attack is smooth and elegant, with a medium-bodied to full-bodied profile. Silky, refined tannins harmoniously shape the palate, while flavors of dark fruits, cocoa, and licorice unfold with persistence. Freshness from well-present acidity perfectly balances the wine’s concentration. The finish lingers at length, leaving impressions of dried fruits and spices.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs beautifully with herb-grilled ribeye, filet mignon with porcini mushrooms, or duck breast with cherries. It also complements game meats with elegance, as well as cassoulet or aged cheeses such as Comté or Camembert.

Serving and cellaring

Château Angélus 2008 can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve until around 2037. Decanting for one hour helps fully reveal its aromas. Ideally serve between 16 and 18°C.

A rich and elegant Saint-Émilion Grand Cru wine

The estate

Founded in 1782 by Jean de Boüard in Saint-Émilion, Château Angelus remains a family-owned estate of the de Boüard de Laforest family, now in its eighth generation. Elevated to Grand Cru Classé status in 1954, the estate took a decisive turn from 1985 under the leadership of Hubert de Boüard, who modernized viticultural practices in collaboration with oenologist Michel Rolland. The ultimate accolade came in 2012, when the château achieved Premier Grand Cru Classé A status.

The vineyard

Château Angélus’ vineyard enjoys a prime location on the lower slopes of Saint-Émilion, in a natural south-facing amphitheater. The soils are made up of a harmonious mix of limestone, clay-limestone, and gravel, providing optimal drainage. This geological diversity allows the full complexity of Saint-Émilion’s terroir to be expressed.

The vintage

The 2008 vintage proved demanding for Bordeaux vineyards. After a promising start to the year, summer brought variable conditions with fluctuating temperatures and delicate moisture management. Fortunately, August provided favorable weather, followed by a sunny September that allowed the grapes to reach satisfactory ripeness. These late-season conditions encouraged the development of concentrated dark fruit and elegant tannins.

Winemaking and aging

Château Angélus 2008 benefited from meticulous plot-by-plot vinification with hand harvesting and rigorous grape sorting. Aging took place in oak barrels, enabling the wine to develop structure and aromatic complexity while preserving fruit expression and the finesse of the tannins.

Grape varieties

Merlot (53%)
Cabernet franc (46%)
Petit verdot (1%)