2012 Chateau Angelus, Saint-Emilion, Bottle (750ml) [Etched Anniversary Bottle]

JA97 "If any wine in the tasting fits the 'exuberant' personality of a Year of the Dragon wine, it is this Angélus 2012 that is barely getting out of the starting gates at 12 years old. Confident and powerful, with supple tannins that are still holding the dominant blackberry, damson, pomegranate and grilled sandalwood character in line. As things open, smoked vanilla bean, espresso, tuermic, black chocolate and orange peel join them, layered and complex. Will benefit from another five years in bottle before reaching its full drinking window, or give it a good long carafe. This was the year that Angélus was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé A, a position that would only last a decade until they withdrew from the classification in 2022. Hubert de Bouard owner, Emmanuelle Fulchi techincal director." JA for IB Mar 2024

DR96 "Grilled cocoa bean and smoked earth, coupled with black pepper, blueberry, raspberry puree. Beautiful precision, primary fruits that feel similar to the 2009, still decades ahead of it, with a confident tannic frame that is wrapped in silk. Late harvest that only began on October 12, making the most of the brilliant late season. The year of promotion to premier grand cru classé A. " JA for DR Nov 2021

RP95 "The 2012 Angélus (55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc) is inky bluish purple in color and exhibits blueberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with some licorice, charcoal and graphite. It is full-bodied, ripe, and a great, great success for this estate. The tannins are silky and soft, and the wine can be drunk now or over the next 15 or more years. Very tiny yields of 34 hectoliters per hectare rendered a wine with 14.5% alcohol." RP Apr 2015