Château Angelus 2006

This is another sleeper of the vintage from Hubert de Boüard. The 2006 reminds me somewhat of the 2001, perhaps not quite as lush at this stage, but underrated as a vintage at this property. Dense purple, with sweet boysenberry, blueberry and black-raspberry fruit, licorice, chocolate and a touch of barbecue smoke, a bit of graphite also makes an appearance in this full-bodied, opulent wine that seems to be maturing much like the 2001. Drink it over the next 20–25 years.

This has a gorgeous nose of black licorice, black cherry and sage. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a very long finish. There's beautiful texture for the vintage. Enjoy the fruit and richness. Best from 2013 through 2017.

Still young and a little closed at this point, even at 14 years old as the tannins remain muscular. Give it time in the glass, as it opens up to show black pepper, cassis, blueberry and rosemary spice. The precision of the construction is clear, with notes of tobacco leaf as it settles into the glass. Serious but succulent, and although its drinking window will be shorter than the 2005, this is still a wine with a long life ahead. Harvest September 19th to 29th.

Tasted blind. Correct and fresh. Rich and thick and just fresh enough. Too much intensity for me – a very extreme wine! (JR)

Firm, structured, classic style of Angelus. Not exactly austere, but the tannins are strict here. Full-bodied and concentrated, with ripe fruits and freshness, this needs at least a decade, but it will probably remain on the classic side of the style range.

Extremely dark purple with black and violet highlights. Spicy bouquet, dark roses, black precious woods, cold tea and plenty of cassis, incense notes, tobacco, even nuances of cardamom lending a peppery freshness to this deep, still very closed wine. Concentrated palate with an enormous amount of black and blue-berry extract, pure blackberries and blackcurrants, with Szechuan peppercorns at the core, Tahitian vanilla, dark malt, palisander and redwood notes, immense potential. To truly enjoy this wine, be prepared to wait 15 years.

Extremely dark purple with black and violet reflections. Spicy bouquet, dark roses, black precious woods, a cold teapot and plenty of cassis, notes of incense and tobacco, even nuances of cardamom that give this profound, still very closed wine a peppery freshness. Concentrated palate with an enormous amount of black- and blueberry extract, pure blackberries and blackcurrants; at its core, Sichuan peppercorns, Tahitian vanilla, dark malt, rosewood and redwood notes. Immense potential. Anyone who wants to truly enjoy this wine must be prepared to wait 15 years for the right moment. (19/20). 16: Still full, serious and demanding. This will be a fleshy Angélus. And by “will be,” I mean it has not yet reached its first drinking maturity.

Velvety, sweet, powerful bouquet of cassis, tobacco, pralines, subtle licorice. Opulent, fruity, dense palate with lots of sweet fruit, plenty of fine tannins, opulent, sweet aromatics, very long, dense finish. Can improve further. 18/20 drink - 2038

A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2006 Angelus has a deep garnet color, with a touch of brick. It offers fragrant scents of roses and iris bulb, giving way to a core of kirsch, plum preserves, and mulberries, plus hints of tobacco, underbrush, and star anise. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a velvety texture and just enough freshness to support the generous, slowly developing black fruits, finishing minerally.

Logo on the cork: LBG Dark color, good intensity and slightly evolved. Intense, delicate, fruity nose, with a touch of alcohol. Melt-in-the-mouth palate with a rather airy progression, fruity, tasty, pleasant, and with a hint of oak on the finish. A lovely surprise!

Initially the wine is all firm tannins, but then there is a pure line of fresh black fruits that comes through, with cranberry tannins and blackberry jamminess. Above it all, is succulent richness and clear acidity. A beautifully shaped wine.