Château Angelus 2010

Got patience? You'll need it to wait this brute out fully. A chunk of tar sits between you and the core of black currant, hoisin sauce and roasted Black Mission fig fruit flavors, while the back end is a road-paving machine laying down a smoldering tarry track of tobacco and freshly ground coffee. And there's an iron note too, as if this needed it. One of the most backward wines of the vintage. Best from 2017 through 2040. 8,750 cases made.

A longer, slower harvest than 2009, with cooler nights giving a resultantly fresher acidity. Highlighting the serious side of Angélus, at 10 years old you get to fully appreciate the tension, energy and purity that is such a signature of this vintage, and that is just jumping out of the glass. Olive paste, clove and cinnamon sit alongside powerful blackberry fruits. The alcohol comes through in the velvety texture, but there is not a trace of heat. No question about the confident tannins on the other hand, giving a path forward for a wine that just seems to keep on expanding in the mouth, finishing with pulses of salinity. Harvest September 28th to October 21st. Tasted in Shanghai November 2019 also, and equally showstopping.

The nose is impressively rich, with an opulence and sexiness showing earth, berry, spice and chocolate character. Black truffles! Full-bodied, with seamless tannins and beautiful richness. It goes on for minutes. The layers of fruit and ripe tannins are phenomenal. This is the greatest Angelus ever for me. Try in 2018.

The 2010 Angélus has a well-defined bouquet with intense black cherries, boysenberry, crushed stone and pressed violet petal aromas that are focused and well delineated. Frankly, this is a step up compared to some of its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, a superb bead of acidity, very cohesive and developing a slightly grainy texture toward the finish. Superb tension here, gentle grip with a gorgeous tarry, tobacco-tinged finish; this is a classy Angélus. Impressive. Tasted at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting.

This just keeps on getting better and better. Over the years my score has been rising and it's easy to see why. Combining power, elegance, sensuous textures, mouth-filling depth and cashmere tannins, this hits all the right pleasure buttons. The texture is surreal. It's interesting to note that while the wine reached 15.6% ABV, there is no touch of heat. When this wine hits its stride, I expect the wine could receive 100 points!

Deep dark ruby, purple reflections, delicate bright rim. Underlay of discreet nougat and fine oak notes, sweet spice, ripe cherry, dark mineral, ripe plum in the background. Very powerful with a somewhat limp 15.5% alcohol by volume, the texture resembles more a zinfandel, fruity and persistent, a stunning wine in the truest sense of the word. It has no rough edges and remains quite harmonious. Time will tell whether this might perhaps be somewhat to the detriment of drinking pleasure.

Still youthfully ruby/plum-hued, 2010 Château Angélus is a powerhouse of an Angélus. Based on a normal blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, it was brought up in new barrels for 22 months and offers full-bodied aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, loamy earth, smoked tobacco, baking spices, and a kiss of flowery incense. It has incredible balance, velvety tannins, and a gorgeous mid-palate, showing the pure, aristocratic, layered style this estate is known for. It’s just now entering its prime drinking window and has another 20-30 years of longevity. Drink 2025-2055.

Blood-red with a violet sheen, very dense at the core. Regal cassis bouquet, black olives, fruit blossoms and a hint of mint, with deep undertones of smoke, tar and black currant. Fleshy palate, full-bodied, rich in rounded tannins, cassis again, now also mixed with ripe blackberries. Normally, with such cues, you would expect an unapproachable powerhouse. This Angélus, however, is very direct and appealing, without diminishing its potential. New direction? It seems possible for untamed power to blend with delicate finesse. This results in the dignity of a Premier Grand Cru.

Blood-red with a violet sheen, very dense at the core. A regal cassis bouquet, black olives, fruit blossoms and a hint of mint also play a part, underpinned by deep notes of smoke, tar and black currant. Fleshy on the palate, full-bodied, rich in rounded tannins, again cassis, now blended with ripe blackberries. Normally, with such markers, you’d expect an unapproachable powerhouse. This Angélus, however, is very direct and appealing without diminishing its potential. A new direction? It seems possible for untamed power to merge with delicate finesse. The result is the dignity of a Premier Grand Cru. Still B or soon A? Time will tell…

Dense, fruity, elegant and profound bouquet, blue and black berries, mocha, pralines, currants, mint. Dense, velvety, multi-layered, aromatic palate with concentrated fruit, plenty of fine tannins, diverse aromatics, a dense, silky structure, and a very long, powerful finish with graphite. 19/20 2020 - 2040

Cabernet Franc leads on the attack, driving the blue and red fruits and the floral aromatics, balanced by a more exuberant, estate-signature cocoa bean and espresso pod. Emmanuel Fulchi, technical director. This is so elegant, a simply brilliant wine, with chiselled, precise fruit, and despite the high alcohol it is beautifully balanced, mouthwatering and perfect for sharing. 100% new oak. Harvest from September 28 to October 21, again with a full week’s gap between the two varieties.

A blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc, the 2010 Angelus has a deep garnet color, with a touch of brick. It erupts from the glass with notes of black cherry preserves, molten chocolate, licorice, and plum pudding, giving way to hints of cedar chest, camphor, espresso, and clove oil. The full-bodied palate is rich and decadent, framed by velvety tannins and compelling tension, finishing very long and very spicy.

Not all wines remain consistent, but the 2010 still does: a fairly chic fruit energy, chocolaty aromas, and oak with a caramel touch. This vintage still has a clear reserve of freshness. It will appeal to fans of the château.

A supple, dense Angelus with good substance, very straight; the mid-palate is flamboyant. The wine is quite tannic, which results in a slight firmness, but its admirable body will prevail.

Logo on the cork: A inside a circle (Amorim) Tasted blind, not decanted. Dark, intense color with slight evolution. Highly aromatic nose with ripe, spicy fruit. Delicate on entry, supple at mid-palate, with a smooth, melting texture, plenty of flavor and presence; the wine unfolds with complexity and, above all, persistent richness, finishing with very impressive length.

91-93 Firm and tannic, very structured wine, while still savoring its rich fruit character. This feels very opulent and rich. There is a problem with alcohol showing through as a pepper edge.