At a glance

Producer

Famille de Boüard de Laforest (Château Angélus)

Region

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon (predominantly Merlot)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$100–$140 USD

Tasting profile

Dark berries, plum, cherry, hints of espresso, toast, and floral and graphite notes. Youthful oak and fruit now.

Evolution: Over time, develops tobacco, truffle, cedar, leather, savory spice, silky tannin integration, and greater aromatic depth.

At peak: At peak, expect seamless texture, tertiary notes (earth, cigar box), refined black fruit, and a velvety finish.

Structure

Acidity

Medium to medium-high; balancing freshness for cellaring

Tannins

Firm but polished; moderate intensity that smooths with age

Alcohol

14% ABV (typical for modern Bordeaux)

Aging potential

Outstanding for a second wine: 17–25+ years from vintage due to pedigree, structure, and great vintage.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2025 to 2050

Optimal window

2023 to 2053

Current status

Entering prime window; extremely ageworthy for second wine

Current condition

Structured; can be enjoyed now with decanting, but will gain complexity with further aging.

Carillon d’Angélus is the highly regarded second label of Château Angélus, crafted with rigor and top fruit selection. The exceptional 2018 vintage in Bordeaux adds longevity (20–25+ years possible), well beyond typical second wines. High Merlot content, traditional winemaking, and the Angélus terroir all support prolonged development.

Food pairing

Roast lamb, beef tenderloin, duck breast, mushroom risotto, veal chops, truffle dishes, aged cheeses (Comté, Saint-Nectaire).

Serving

Serving temperature

16–18°C / 61–64°F

Decant

Yes (90 minutes) — Opens up dense fruit and integrates oak, softening tannins and highlighting aromatics.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Sustainable vineyard management (reduced herbicide, biodiversity zones, cover crops), water/electricity monitoring, bee-friendly plots, partial use of renewable energy, increased recyclability in packaging.

Famille de Boüard de Laforest, producers of Angélus and Carillon d’Angélus, embrace advanced sustainability initiatives such as HVE Level 3 (the highest French certification for sustainable farming). Organic practices are employed where feasible, although transition is ongoing, so the wines aren't certified organic/biodynamic. There is investment in regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, water conservation, and packaging reduction, though a classic glass bottle format means a larger carbon footprint than boxed/wine-on-tap or lighter bottles. Actually, the estate exceeds most Bordeaux peers for environmental transparency and progress. Further improvements could be achieved by full conversion to organic or adopting lighter packaging.