2014 Angelus

Still youthful ruby-hued, the 2014 Château Angelus is showing beautifully today and brings more richness, depth, and pleasure than most wines in the vintage. Classic Angelus aromatics of red and black fruits, spring flowers, graphite, and cedary tobacco nuances all emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a balanced, layered, incredibly elegant mouthfeel, polished tannins, and a great finish. I love it today yet see no reason it shouldn't continue evolving for another 30 years in cold cellars. Drink 2026-2056.

The 2014 Angélus has an attractive nose with dark berry fruit, chocolate, singed leather and quite pronounced Cabernet Franc scents that lend complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and a very silky texture. Not a powerful Angélus, this is instead refined with impressive mineralité towards the finish. Classy and sophisticated. Just one caveat: another bottle tasted blind, was less convincing, and felt a little attenuated towards the finish, hence my slightly more parsimonious score.

Tasted blind. Youthfully dark. Deep aroma of ripe, dark and just evolving fruit and a leafy edge. Rich, firm, fresh with great balance. Tannins are almost chalky but it’s a complete wine with length. (JH)