2015 Les Angelots de Gracia

Aged in 100% new barrels for 18 months and composed of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Les Angelots de Gracia is deep garnet-purple colored with a nose of red and black currants, warm cherries and dried bay leaves with touches of violets and charcuterie. Medium to full-bodied, soft, spicy and oh-so-seductive, it has compelling expression and beautiful harmony.

From a tiny 1.26-hectare estate situated between Angélus and Fonrazade, owned by Michel Gracia, the 2015 Les Angelots de Gracia is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, from more sandy soils, brought up in 100% new oak. It’s an amazingly rich, sexy, opulent Saint-Emilion that shows the character of the vintage beautifully. Giving up lots of ripe black fruits, toasted spices, chocolatey oak and earthy tobacco, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, building, sweet tannin, moderate acidity, and a power-packed finish. It has loads of fruit and texture, yet still has underlying density and structure. Made from 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, give bottle 2-3 years in the cellar, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following 15+.

The 2015 Les Angelots de Gracia is bold, powerful and intense. Dark cherry, plum, mocha and spice notes are all pushed forward as the 2015 fills out its frame effortlessly. Bittersweet chocolate, menthol, cloves and new leather wrap around the powerful, imposing finish. Readers should expect a ripe, extracted, super-modern Saint-Émilion. Even with all of its intensity, the 2015 is impeccable. The blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc picked between October 6 and 8 (late for the year) and aged in 100% new oak. The Angelots was impressive on all three occasions that I tasted it. Jean Philippe Fort is the consulting winemaker.