Château Angélus
Château Angélus
#PROPERTY: History & Terroir
The history of Château Angélus
Château Angélus embodies the excellence and heritage of winegrowing in the prestigious Saint-Émilion region, in the heart of the Bordeaux vineyards. Its history, a blend of tradition, passion and innovation, dates back several centuries.
Founded by the De Boüard de Laforest family, the estate took root close to Saint-Émilion's emblematic church. Originally, a small 3-hectare parcel was created from the will and know-how of this family, already owners of neighboring Château Mazérat. However, this modest area was the seedbed for a much larger ambition.
Over the decades, the family business has undergone remarkable growth. As early as the 1920s, it began to expand and develop, eventually reaching a surface area of 27 hectares in a single block. This gradual growth was the fruit of a constant dedication to the vines and to the production of exceptional wines.
The decisive impetus came in 1985 with the arrival of Hubert De Boüard. His visionary spirit and commitment to excellence transformed Château Angélus. With the help of his cousin Jean-Bernard Grenié, their collaboration propelled this wine into the ranks of Saint-Émilion's finest. This period was marked by significant advances in both cultivation methods and winemaking techniques.
This qualitative ascent continued with the arrival of Stéphanie De Boüard-Rivoal, Hubert's daughter, at the head of the family estate in 2012. Driven by the same passion, she took over the reins of the estate, supported by her cousin Thierry Grenié De Boüard, who joined in 2016. This family continuity has preserved the essence and excellence of Château Angélus, while instilling a new dynamic, combining tradition and modernity.
Beyond its winegrowing history, Château Angélus is also linked to a religious tradition. Situated at the heart of a natural amphitheater, dominated by the three churches of Saint-Émilion, the estate was lulled to sleep by the ringing of the Angelus. This spiritual connection was beautifully captured by Jean-François Millet in his famous painting "L'Angélus", now on display at the Musée d'Orsay.
Château Angélus distinguishes itself not only by the exceptional quality of its hand-harvested wines, but also by its family heritage, its attachment to tradition and its unique link with the Saint-Émilion terroir, making it an essential symbol of winegrowing excellence worldwide.
De Boüard family, owners of the renowned Château Angélus
For many years, the De Boüard family has owned the prestigious Château Angélus. However, a decade ago, a crucial moment presented itself: in 2012, Stéphanie De Boüard-Rivoal took over the reins of the estate by acquiring her father's shares, thus representing the eighth generation of the De Boüard de Laforest family. This transition made her the vineyard's principal shareholder, marking a new chapter in the management and direction of Château Angélus.
Château Angélus terroir
The exceptional terroir of Château Angélus lies at the heart of a natural amphitheatre that embraces the coast and the foot of the southern slope of Saint-Émilion on the right bank of Bordeaux. This particular geographical configuration plays a decisive role in concentrating summer heat, thus favoring a remarkable earliness in the grape ripening process. The naturally sloping topography ensures optimum drainage of the soil, allowing effective regulation of humidity thanks to its clay base.
This soil, composed of just the right proportion of limestone and clay ranging from 8% to 20%, plays a crucial role in ensuring a balanced supply of water and minerals to the vines. This mineral and water harmony is essential for healthy vegetative development and grape quality. To optimize this relationship between soil and vine, rootstocks are carefully selected to adapt ideally to this specific terroir.
The strategic organization of grape varieties also reflects this diversity of soils: the Merlots, flourishing on the more clayey soils of the coast, express their full potential, while the Cabernet Francs, representing a significant proportion (46%) of the vineyard, thrive on the clay-limestone soils at the foot of the slope. This meticulous distribution of grape varieties according to soil characteristics makes the most of the nuances of this exceptional terroir, giving Château Angélus wines a singular richness and complexity, intimately linked to this very special land of Saint-Émilion.
#WINES OF THE DOMAIN: Appellations and Cuvées
The Saint-Émilion appellation
The Saint-Émilion appellation is one of Bordeaux's most prestigious and renowned wine-growing regions, renowned for the production of excellent red wines. Situated on the right bank of the Garonne River, this area benefits from a unique and diversified terroir, as well as a regular supply of water, ideal for growing vines. Saint-Émilion wines are often described as elegant, complex and with a well-balanced tannic structure, often aging remarkably well over time. The appellation is also known for its official classification, which categorizes wine estates into different levels of quality, from grand cru classé to cru bourgeois, offering wine lovers a varied range of wines reflecting the richness and diversity of this exceptional terroir.
Discover our selection of wines from the Saint-Émilion appellation
Château Angélus vintages
Classification of Château Angélus cuvées
Château D'Angélus 1er Grand Cru Classée A
Carillon D'Angélus
N°3 d'Angélus
Tempo D'Angélus
Château D'Angélus 1er Grand Cru Classé A embodies the very essence of the estate's refinement and elegance. The exceptional characteristics of this Saint-Emilion grand vin, harmoniously combining terroir and savoir-faire, make it the absolute jewel of the range, offering an incomparable sensory experience. Each sip reveals the quintessence of Château Angélus, testifying to a prestigious heritage and unwavering dedication to producing exceptional wines.
Carillon D'Angélus Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, born of the 1987 vintage, has evolved to assert its own identity over the years, culminating in a new, dedicated winery. The fruit of the constant attention to detail of the estate's teams, this wine is the result of a meticulous blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, carefully selected from the terroirs of Saint-Émilion.
N°3 d'Angélus, the fruit of Château Angelus' philosophy of excellence and sourced from various Saint-Émilion terroirs, is predominantly Merlot (85-90%). Designed to be drunk immediately upon bottling, it is distinguished by its fruity freshness, roundness and finesse.
Tempo d'Angélus, ChâteauAngelus' new creation, can be drunk straight from the cellar, and offers an accessible interpretation of great wines. This cuvée retains the depth and complexity of the emblematic wines, yet is structured, complex and affordable for the discerning connoisseur.
The best vintages of Château Angélus
Here are the exceptional vintages that have elevated Château Angélus' reputation to the heights of winemaking excellence:
Château Angélus 1985, 1990, 2005, 2016, 2018, 2022
Carillon de L'Angélus 2016
Château Angélus wine and food pairings
Château Angélus wines, with their velvety tannins and aromatic complexity, pair magnificently with a variety of dishes. A pan-fried porcini mushroom, for example, is a perfect match for these wines. The delicate texture of the ceps complements the roundness of the tannins, while the woody, earthy aromas of the mushrooms echo the subtle notes of undergrowth present in certain vintages of Château Angélus.
For a hare terrine, the wine's robust structure finds its balance. The rich flavors of the terrine, often combined with spices and aromatic herbs, blend harmoniously with the complexity of aromas and depth of flavors present in Château Angélus wines. The elegance of the tannins allows the wine to support the intense flavors of the terrine while retaining its own finesse.
These pairings highlight the versatility and adaptability of Château Angélus wines, which can sublimate a variety of dishes thanks to their structure, character and elegance.
Château Angélus grape varieties
Château Angélus wines are distinguished by their meticulous blending, highlighting the grape varieties that are emblematic of the Saint-Émilion region. Merlot dominates, accounting for around 53% of the blend, bringing roundness and richness of fruit, silky texture and elegant structure to the wines. Cabernet franc, at around 46%, completes this harmony with its tannic structure, contributing to aromatic complexity and overall balance. Finally, a subtle touch of Petit Verdot, albeit a minority (around 1%), can sometimes be integrated, bringing an additional nuance of depth and character to these exceptional Château Angélus blends.
What's the difference between Château Angélus and Carillon Angélus?
Château Angélus and Carillon d'Angélus are two wines produced by the same estate, but they differ in their characteristics and blends.
- Château Angélus: This is the flagship wine of Château Angélus, a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé, a prestigious red wine produced from mainly Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes. Château Angélus is renowned for its quality, complexity and ageing potential. It is the flagship of the estate.
- Carillon d'Angélus: This wine is a second label of Château Angélus. It also comes from the same vineyard, but is generally created from younger vines or grapes from less prestigious plots. Carillon d'Angélus is often more accessible earlier than Château Angélus, designed to be enjoyed in its youth, although its quality remains high.
In short, Château Angélus is the estate's prestigious flagship wine, while Carillon d'Angélus is a second label, offering a more affordable and sometimes earlier tasting alternative.
Which château has become Saint-Émilion's premier grand cru classé A for the first time?
Château Angélus became Saint-Émilion's first Grand Cru Classé A in 2012, thanks to the tireless efforts of Hubert de Boüard de Laforest. This prestigious classification recognized the exceptional quality of its wines. The estate produces several cuvées, including Château Angélus, Carillon d'Angélus, N°3 d'Angélus, and more recently, Tempo d'Angélus, each representing a unique facet of the excellence of this renowned estate.
How much does it cost to buy a Château Angélus wine?
Château Angélus bottle prices can fluctuate according to vintage, quality, rarity and other criteria. Explore our selection of Château Angélus wines on our site for more information. Take advantage of online purchasing with fast 48-hour shipping to enjoy these exceptional wines at home.
#IN BRIEF: Figures
Region: Bordeaux
Appellation : Saint-Émillion
Surface area : 27 hectares
Red grape varieties : Merlot (53%), Cabernet franc (46%), Petit Verdot (1%)
Vine cultivation : Reasoned