At a glance

Producer

Chateau Angélus

Region

Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$350-$450 USD (release/broad market)

Tasting profile

Dense black and red fruits, violet, graphite, baking spice; oak-influenced; marked structure and tannin.

Evolution: Fruit will meld into secondary flavors of licorice, tobacco, cedar, and truffle with time. Tannins will soften; mid-palate will broaden.

At peak: Opulent texture, layered complexity, resolved tannins, classic St-Émilion earth-and-fruit harmony.

Structure

Acidity

Bright, lifted, enhances freshness and longevity.

Tannins

Firm, ripe, and polished with a youthful astringency typical for the estate in a fresh vintage.

Alcohol

Moderate (13.5-14% ABV, slightly lower than recent warm years).

Aging potential

Very high; capable of improving 20+ years or more in ideal conditions.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2032 to 2058

Optimal window

2029 to 2061

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Closed, tannic, with fresh acidity and dark berry fruit; best left in cellar.

2021 was a challenging year but Chateau Angélus produced a wine of freshness and finesse, more in a classic style than recent solar vintages. It will take a decade to fully reveal its aromatics and secondary nuances, with peak complexity expected between 13–24 years after vintage.

Food pairing

Best with rack of lamb, dry-aged beef, roast venison, mushroom dishes, or truffled poultry.

Serving

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — The wine has firm tannins and youthful astringency, which can benefit from aeration to soften and enhance its flavors.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Precision viticulture to minimize chemical use, cover crops between rows, organic manure, solar panels for some energy, gravity-flow winemaking to lower energy use, reduction in pesticides/fungicides, water conservation efforts, recycled cardboard/paper packaging initiatives.

Chateau Angélus has made significant strides towards sustainability, moving steadily towards organic certification and adopting HVE3 standards since 2018. The 2021 vintage used many sustainable practices, but full organic status will only be claimed starting 2023. The estate continues to use some conventional viticulture methods and does not have Demeter (biodynamic) or international sustainability seals. Improvements in packaging and site energy use are ongoing. Overall, the environmental footprint is lower than average for Bordeaux classed growths, but a heavy glass bottle and international shipping add carbon impact.