Château Angelus Tinto

Description

**Château Angelus Saint-Émilion Grand Cru** **Château Angelus 2023 – “L’Affranchi”** L’Affranchi (the emancipated, the free) is the designation Angelus gives to the 2023 harvest, reflecting the estate’s identity through balance, tension, freshness, and harmony in a classic, elegant, and pure style. Angelus’s style arises from the combination of an exceptional terroir and a strong presence of Cabernet Franc. The vineyard is planted on a natural amphitheater, on a south-facing slope in Saint-Émilion, with the foothills where heat concentrates and the growing season starts earlier. The slope ensures natural drainage, while the balance of limestone and clay provides a steady supply of water and minerals. The grape distribution follows the nature of the soils: Merlot occupies the more clayey areas of the slope, while Cabernet Franc is planted on sandy, clay‑limestone soils at the foot of the hill. This variety makes up 47 % of the vineyard and is one of Angelus’s signature elements, contributing to the wines’ elegance, freshness, and purity with subtle minty and spicy aromas. Its tannins are dense yet silky, giving structure, balance, and aging potential. Sustainable viticulture seeks to preserve this natural balance through responsible, parcel‑specific practices. Inter‑row cover crops enhance soil structure and mycorrhizal development, while hedges and trees support biodiversity. Pruning respects sap flow, and vineyard work is carried out with care, limiting treatments and fostering a balanced ecosystem. In 2023, a wet spring brought intense mildew pressure, requiring intensive preventive work. A cool summer punctuated by thunderstorms allowed the vines to maintain good water and light reserves. Harvest began with Merlot between September 14 and 25, followed by Cabernet Franc, which ripened on thick skins, developed complex aromas, and reached perfect maturity, harvested from September 25 to October 2 under optimal conditions. Each vintage’s composition is refined in an ongoing pursuit of excellence, combining tradition, innovation, knowledge, and attentive observation of terroir. **Blend:** 60 % Merlot, 40 % Cabernet Franc **Awards** 98/100 Izak Litwar – *Great Wines from Bordeaux* 97/100 Jeff Leve, *The Wine Cellar Insider* 97/100 *Wine Enthusiast* 97/100 Giuseppe Lauria – *Fine Wine Guide* 97/100 Jean‑Marc Quarin 96‑98/100 *The Wine Independent* 96‑97/100 *Wine Maniacs* 96/100 Adrian van Velsen – *vvWine.ch* 96/100 Jane Anson 96/100 Tim Atkin 96/100 *Cellar Tracker* 96/100 *Vinum* 95‑96/100 Robert Parker – *The Wine Advocate* 95/100 Chris Kissack – *Winedoctor* 17.5/20 Jancis Robinson **Allergen Information** Contains sulfites. **SKU:** 110705-1