2008 Ch. Angélus, St. Emilion

There’s no two ways about it; Ch. Angélus is a sexy wine. Super-concentrated ripe, black cherries on the nose lead on to a glorious palate of luscious, rich damsons and plums. Big, soft but grainy tannins add structure and the finish is long and powerful. This isn’t exactly a delicate wine but it would be a rewarding buy for any cellar.

Ch. Angelus 2008, a blend of 58% Merlot and 42% Cabernet Franc, exhibits a sweet bouquet of blueberries, blackberries, camphor, forest floor, and a hint of spring flowers. Although backward, it reveals great intensity, sweet tannin, a nuanced, lively personality...There have been so many great wines from Angelus since 1989 that it is hard to put the 2008 in the context of some of the other remarkable vintages. My guess is that there are five vintages that will ultimately eclipse it - 1989, 1990, 1998, 2000, and 2005, but not by much. The 2008 is not far off the mark of any of those legends.
(Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - Apr 09)

Warm, toasty nose with real juice and life to it. Relaxed winemaking. Quite a bit of force though less vibrant than the Ch Ausone I have just tasted. But good purity and not too much alcohol. Sweet and succulent – just a little hint of dry tannins on the end.
(Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com, Apr 09)