Chateau Angelus (Winemaking, Best Wines, Prices 2024)
Interested in collecting a bottle or two of delicious Chateau Angelus fine wine?
Château Angelus is one of the most prestigious Saint Emilion appellation wineries and was promoted to the 1er Premier Grand Cru classé status in 1996. It has a fascinating history behind it and has even made appearances on the big screen in Hollywood.
How is Chateau Angelus wine made? What makes it an exceptional wine to invest in? And, which bottles should you buy?
In this article, you’ll journey the brand’s history, indulge in its winemaking secrets and learn which wines you should buy in 2024.
You’ll also determine the quickest (and safest) way to invest in this Saint Emilion wine.
Further reading
- Keen to expand your wine portfolio? Check out This Insightful Guide.
A Quick Intro to Chateau Angelus
The Chateau Angelus estate is located on the Right Bank of the Bordeaux wine region, in the Saint-Emilion commune in the Gironde area. Owned by the de Bouard family, Chateau Angelus joined the ranks as a Premier Grand Cru Classe A in 2012.
Apart from the Grand Vin, Chateau Angelus has two other wines — Carillon d’Angelus and No. 3 d’Angelus — with about 62 vintages in total.
The chateau enjoys a perfect southern-exposed slope that allows them to grow Cabernet Franc and Merlot, a part of the Chateau Angelus blend.
As for the Chateau Angelus wines, concentrated, rich and complex can easily describe them!
Let’s delve into this marvellous wine's illustrious past.
Also read: Explore more wine varieties like the delicious Malbec wine or the classic Champagne.
The History of Chateau Angelus
The Bouard de Laforest family has lived in Bordeaux for over 700 years, arriving in St Emilion in 1782.
The chateau, as is known today, came into being only in 1909. This was when Maurice de Bouard de La Forest purchased a 3.5 hectare parcel of vines called L’Angelus Chateau Angelus.
Interestingly, the parcel of vines got its name because of its closeness to three local churches - the chapel at Mazerat, and the church in Saint-Martin de Mazeret and Saint-Emilion.
Chateau Angelus under Hubert de Bouard
The fame of Chateau Angelus soared after Maurice’s grandson, Hubert de Bouard de Laforest, took over.
He made swift changes at the chateau, starting with the 1988 vintage. He changed the name from L’Angelus to Angelus, noting that it allowed the wine to appear first in alphabetized lists.
He employed new techniques, started green harvesting, and began aging wines in new, French oak barrels. Under his leadership, Chateau Angelus also expanded to China and Asia - a first for St Emilion wines.
He also got Chateau Angelus included in a scene in the James Bond movie Casino Royale! 007, played by Daniel Craig, could be seen sipping on a glass of Chateau Angelus. This led to a huge spike in sales.
Current owner of Chateau Angelus
Hubert’s daughter, Stephanie de Bouard-Rivoal, is the current owner of the Chateau. She’s an eighth-generation Bouard and the third woman to run the estate.
Changes in Classification
Chateau Angelus was first classified as Grand Cru Classe that helped them survive the 1973 Bordeaux wine crisis and take part in the 1980’s oenological renewal.
It was in this context that Hubert, a graduate oenologist from Bordeaux University, seized the opportunity to innovate Chateau Angelus.
Then, in 1996, Chateau Angelus got a Premier Grand Cru Cru Classe B.
And in 2012, it was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classe A - an honor shared with only three other estates, Chateau Ausone, Chateau Cheval Blanc and Chateau Pavie!
Chateau Angelus celebrated this occasion by releasing a 2012 vintage in a special black, colored bottle. It was embossed with a 21.7-carat gold imprinted script.
The Chateau Angelus Label
The label has always included a bell on a light background. The angelus bell is significant because, at the time, those working in the Bordeaux vineyards would hear the bells of the three local churches during the day.
The sound inspired the name Chateau Angelus, its logo as well as the sculpture that appears on the chateau.
Chateau Angelus Wines
Apart from their first wine, the Chateau Angelus estate produces two other Bordeaux wines: Carillon d’Angelus and No. 3 d’Angelus.
The Chateau Angelus estate annually produces an average of 10,000 cases of the Chateau Angelus and 1,000 cases of Carillon d’Angelus. Production of No. 3 d’Angelus is even smaller, with nearly 800 cases per vintage.
Let’s look at all the three wines.
1. Chateau Angelus Grand Vin
The Chateau Angelus Grand Vin is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, and is aged for 18 months. After this, it spends at least five years in the bottle before it’s released. Chateau Angelus produces about 100,000 bottles of this wine annually. Most vintages come in magnum sizes, too.
2. Carillon d’Angelus
Carillon d’Angelus is the chateau’s second wine and first came out in the 1987 vintage. It’s a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from different St Emilion terroirs. Carillon d’Angelus is known for its velvety tannins, pure fruit aromas and elegant finish.
3. No. 3 d’Angelus
No. 3 d’Angelus has a blend of 85 to 90% Merlot, ideal for drinking within 5-8 years, unlike its parent wines, which can age much longer.
Further reading:
- Find out more about some delicious wines with our guides to Chianti wine, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling wines.
- Looking for something different? The vibrant Chateauneuf du Pape, the exotic Zinfandel wine and the luscious Barbera wine will pique your interest.
Chateau Angelus Viticulture, Terroir and Vinification
The Chateau vineyards grow in a natural amphitheater on a south-facing slope and at the foot of Saint-Emilion. The summer temperatures here are concentrated, and growth usually starts earlier.
The vineyards consist of 39 hectares planted with 53% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.
Cabernet Franc was planted in this vineyard because its original French name was Bouchet - also the maiden name of Hubert’s grandmother, Elisabeth Bouchet! The Cabernet Franc vines are nearly 38 years old.
Merlot is planted in soils with more clay and limestone, and the Cabernet Franc vines are planted in gravel, limestone and sand terroir.
Although the entire vineyard comprises 39 hectares, Chateau Angelus is produced only on 27 hectares classified as First Growth. The remaining 12 hectares are used for Carillon d’Angelus and No. 3 d’Angelus.
The Chateau Angelus estate was one of the first in Saint-Emilion to adopt optical sorting technology. An additional sorting by hand is done after the optical sorting.
The Vinification Process
The winemaking process of Chateau Angelus starts with cold maceration for five days. The grapes are fermented whole in 24 temperature-controlled vats made of wood, stainless steel and concrete.
Malolactic fermentation occurs in new oak barrels between 18 to 24 months. During the first eight months, the wine ages on its lees. This gives it more color and richness. How long it remains inside the barrel depends on its vintage and characteristics.
The vinification and aging techniques for Carillon d’Angelus are also adapted with its unique blend in mind.
Now, let’s explore how you can identify vintages and enjoy a Chateau Angelus.
Also read: Keen to expand your wine glass range? Let’s start with Champagne Glasses with this easy guide.
How to Identify Genuine Vintages of Chateau Angelus
Thanks to their elevated status, prices for Chateau Angelus soared. And with the 2014 vintage, Chateau Angelus ranked among the top Bordeaux chateaux.
This led to many instances of wine fraud and counterfeiting. To counter this, all their wines produced from 2014 onwards contain a unique ID chip.
When you scan this chip, you’ll learn everything you would possibly need to know about the wine and that specific vintage. This also includes details on harvest and blend, allowing you to know right away if you have a genuine bottle.
How to Enjoy and Serve Chateau Angelus
Enjoying a fine wine such as Chateau Angelus is no doubt an experience akin to none.
This Premier Grand Cru Classe A wine is best enjoyed after allowing a 12-15 year period of aging in a good vintage. It should reach its peak maturity 12-35 years after the vintage.
How long should you decant a Chateau Angelus?
Young vintages require about 2 to 3 hours to allow the wine to soften and open its scent. However, older vintages may need very little time in a decanter to maintain freshness.
What food does Chateau Angelus wine pair best with?
Pair your Chateau Angelus with any classic meat dish like veal, lamb, duck, beef, game, chicken, and all roasted, braised and grilled dishes.
Interestingly, Chateau Angelus is also great when paired with Asian dishes, rich fish courses such as tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.
Serve your delicious Chateau Angelus at a temperature of 15.5 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit). The cool temperature gives the wine freshness and lift.
Best Chateau Angelus Wines to Buy in 2024
Adding Chateau Angelus wines to your collection is a no-brainer! To help you decide, here are the best Chateau Angelus wines that you can purchase in 2024.
1. 1990 Chateau Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
This vintage is full-bodied and opulent with aromas of black cherry, blueberry, menthol, and creme de cassis.
Not missing a beat with the palate, you’ll taste notes of savory fruit, white pepper and Asian spice. Beautifully balanced, and velvety it has low acidity and a sweet tannin.
Price of 1990 Chateau Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru: $719
2. 1959 Chateau Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Enjoy aromas of molasse, malt, sweet honey and herbs with this 1959 wine.
This vintage has a fresh palate of red fruit, minerality, vanilla, cola and leather. The texture is sweet and creamy with fine tannins.
Price of 1959 Chateau Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru: $691
3. 1940 Chateau Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
At first sniff, enjoy the fragrance of preserved plums, sun-dried tomatoes, black fruit, and a hint of smoked meat. This Saint-Emilion wine gains more body as it decants.
Price of 1940 Chateau Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru: $615
4. 1961 Chateau Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
The first pour reveals a lovely, dark opaque burgundy hue. Fragrant and complex, expect notes of cedar, herbs, tobacco and coffee.
It’s well-balanced and gentle with sweet layers of fruit. This vintage has a firm yet silky ripe tannin and a rich finish.
Price of 1961 Chateau Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru: $875
5. 1989 Chateau Angelus, Le Carillon de L’Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Youthful with a ruby color, this 1989 vintage has notes of concentrated red fruits. Enjoy a range of aromas, including vanilla and leather.
This wine is full-bodied with tasting notes that are fruity and spicy.
Price of 1989 Chateau Angelus, Le Carillon de L’Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru: $207
6. 2010 Chateau Angelus, Le Carillon de L’Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
A deep crimson, the 2010 vintage is youthful yet concentrated. This medium to full-bodied Bordeaux wine has a nose of licorice, candied blackberries, vanilla oak and sweet spices.
It has good acidity with blackberries, currants, mint and bitter chocolate on the palate.
Price of 2010 Chateau Angelus, Le Carillon de L’Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru: $167
7. 2003 Chateau Angelus, Le Carillon de L’Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Complex with aromas of sweet minerals, red berry fruits, this vintage has floral notes and is light and sweet. This 2003 vintage is smooth on the palate with a soothing finish.
Price of 2003 Chateau Angelus, Le Carillon de L’Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru: $158
8. 2014 Chateau Angelus, No. 3 d’Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
This wine is made of the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grape varieties.
Ripe dark plums and cherries, cocoa and toasty oak, are some of the aromas and tasting notes in this 2014 vintage. Polished tannins and a soft, inviting flavor make this wine fun to drink.
Price of 2014 Chateau Angelus, No. 3 d’Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru: $73
9. 2016 Chateau Angelus, No. 3 d’Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
With a light ruby color, the distinct fragrance of cherries, red fruit, black plum and vanilla pods come through, along with hints of smoke.
On the palate, this vintage is dry with a crisp acidity and a medium finish. The grape variety composition is 50% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Price of 2016 Chateau Angelus, No. 3 d’Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru: $67
10. 2015 Chateau Angelus, No. 3 d’Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
The first notes are that of spice and caramel along with wild red berry fruit. It’s supple with a lovely sweetness that comes through at the end.
Price of 2015 Chateau Angelus, No. 3 d’Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru: $60
Why Chateau Angelus Is a Good Investment Wine
Thanks to a combination of bold decisions on vine varieties and an exceptional terroir, Chateau Angelus is truly unique. Its exceptional aging potential, winemaking excellence, and consistently high critics’ scores have also helped in cementing its reputation as an investment-grade wine.
This wine is also among the highest-priced ones from the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru.
And, the price has been rising over the last few years. The 2011 vintage, for instance, has increased by 89% since its release, going from an initial amount of $1,813 to $3,426 in 2017. The 2008 vintage was released at $925 but jumped to $3,906 by 2017.
No doubt, all these details must have you tempted to buy your own bottle(s) of Chateau Angelus. Before you rush off to purchase one from a boutique wine store, hold up a minute.
There is a far easier method to invest in Chateau Angelus. Rest assured, it’s safer, quicker and smarter.
Invest in Chateau Angelus and Other Fine Wines Through Vinovest
Vinovest is an online wine investment platform that buys, authenticates, stores and sells your fine wines for you.
Apart from that, you own every single bottle in your collection!
How it works
Grab a Champagne cocktail or a Kir Royale, and begin your wine investment with these five simple steps:
- Create a Vinovest account
- Fill out a questionnaire about your investment appetite.
- Fund your account (you’d need a minimum of $1,000).
- Let Vinovest build your portfolio of wines.
- Watch your investment multiply.
Why should you invest via Vinovest?
1. Curated Portfolio
Vinovest provides you with a balanced portfolio of handpicked wines like the lush Pomerol wine, for instance. This is curated by their fine wine team aided by artificial intelligence-based investment models.
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Buying and selling your fine wines has never been so easy, thanks to Vinovest’s intelligent online platform.
3. Optimum Storage
Your wines are stored in bonded warehouses under excellent humidity, temperature, light and vibration conditions.
4. Best Prices
Vinovest sources their wines directly from winemakers or top wineries, and their prices are at a fair market value.
5. Low fees
You just need to fund your account and pay a 2.5% annual fee (1.9% for a portfolio above $50,000). This fee includes buying wines, wine fraud detection, storage, insurance, portfolio management, and selling.
6. Easy Delivery
Once your wine arrives at Vinovest’s bonded warehouse, you can have your bottle delivered to buyers or yourself. You can even give your loved ones these delicious wine gifts.
7. Ownership
You own every bottle of wine you buy.
8. Authenticity
Vinovest understands the importance of this and goes the extra length to trace your wine’s provenance and to make sure it’s authentic.
Chateau Angelus: Bold Flavors and a Promising Investment
Lush, dense and creamy are words that can easily describe Chateau Angelus, thanks to its terroir.
The bold choice of grape varieties and immaculate production processes make this Bordeaux wine among the most intriguing and intense ones ever.
With good aging potential and price appreciation, Chateau Angelus is also perfect for the Vinovestor.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to add this to your collection.
But first, sign up on Vinovest for a smooth wine investment experience!
