Château ANGÉLUS 2000
Less than a kilometer from the bell tower of Saint-Émilion, Château Angélus occupies a natural amphitheater facing south, whose slope favors both drainage and early ripening of the grapes. The de Boüard de Laforest family has been established in this area since the late 18th century and has gradually built a vineyard where merlot and cabernet franc play complementary roles. Merlot particularly finds its place on the more clayey parts of the hillside, while cabernet franc benefits from the clay-limestone and sandier soils at the foot of the slope. This strong presence of cabernet franc has long been one of Angélus's particularities and contributes to the freshness, aroma, and longevity of its wines. In 2000, the property was still Premier Grand Cru Classé “B” of Saint-Émilion, before its promotion to rank “A” in 2012. The turn of the millennium corresponds here to a particularly homogeneous harvest, favored by a dry summer and early autumn without excessive temperatures. Twenty-five years later, this vintage enters a maturity phase where the initial power begins to give more room to tertiary nuances.
Château Angélus 2000 blends 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc. After a wet April, the growing season continued under much drier conditions, especially in August and September, allowing regular ripening of the berries. The harvest took place from September 14 to 27, after thinning work intended to homogenize the maturity of the different plots. Fermentations were carried out in stainless steel, concrete, and wood vats, depending on the lots and characteristics of the grapes. After draining, the wines were quickly transferred to barrels to continue their evolution. Aging lasted between 18 and 22 months, in new barrels and large casks, to accompany a naturally dense and structured matter. The generosity of the merlot and the maturity of the cabernet franc give the 2000 a deep architecture, now softened by more than two decades of bottle evolution.
The color retains remarkable depth, with dark garnet nuances and reflections gradually turning to evolved ruby. The bouquet combines blackberry, plum, and blackcurrant with now more complex notes of tobacco, cedar, licorice, and undergrowth. On aeration appear graphite, sweet spices, fine leather, and a slight smoky touch that highlights the wine's maturity without erasing its fruit. The palate remains ample and concentrated, but the once powerful tannins have softened to form a more velvety and harmonious texture. A persistent freshness balances the richness of the vintage and prolongs flavors of black fruits, truffle, cocoa, and precious wood. The finish is long, deep, and complex, with a mineral and licorice dimension that recalls the strong presence of cabernet franc. At this stage of its evolution, Château Angélus 2000 will benefit from being opened with care and can accompany roasted pigeon, beef fillet with porcini mushrooms, rack of lamb, royal hare, or cuisine featuring black truffle.
Grape varieties: 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc
