Overall critical consensus
The 2023 Angélus is widely rated as a top-tier Saint-Émilion, showing a more precise, floral, and refined style than some previous opulent vintages. Critics highlight its elegance, freshness, and Cab Franc-driven lift, with excellent ageing potential.
It sits among the highest-rated Right Bank wines of the 2023 vintage.
Professional ratings (major critics)
- James Suckling: 97–98/100
- Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): 96/100
- Wine Advocate (William Kelley): 95–96/100
- Vinous (Galloni/Martin): 94–96/100
- Decanter: 97/100
- Falstaff: 97/100
- Yves Beck: 97–99/100
- Jeff Leve: 96–98/100
- Markus del Monego: 98/100
Typical consensus range: 95–97 pts, with peaks up to 98–99 pts
Tasting profile (critic consensus)
Aromas
- Black cherry, cassis, plum
- Violet, rose petal, floral lift
- Graphite, mint, spice, subtle oak
Palate
- Medium to full-bodied, very polished structure
- Fine, powdery tannins
- Juicy, energetic core with freshness and tension
- Cabernet Franc gives aromatic lift and precision
Style notes (important)
- Less heavy extraction than older vintages
- More transparency and balance
- Oak is present but well integrated
- Seen as a “classic-modern hybrid” Angélus
Drinking window
- Start: ~2028–2033
- Peak: ~2033–2050+
98pts James Suckling
The transparency of fruit and the finesse is really something here. There’s depth and beauty to the pristine, fresh fruit. Full-bodied and muscular with wonderful tannins that provide tension and form. Subtle and weightless, this is a thought-provoking young wine. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet franc.
97pts Decanter
Gorgeous nose, floral and scented with roses and violets, expressive strawberries and raspberries and some herbal elements. Full and filling, but soft and smooth, almost crushed velvet in texture. It’s not so tense and straight but has a solid backbone of freshness and plush fruit but very cool. It’s more on the structured side than overt acidity, serious but still with crunchy blueberries, chalky blackcurrant, lots of graphite and minerality on the finish. Less fruit forward than some but layered with complexity - a subtle opulence. Fleshy ripe tannins with mouthwatering acidity adding a serious touch. It’s missing that Angelus hug on the mid palate, but I like it a lot and you can’t fault the refinement and precision on show. It’s got body, length, tannins, crunch, freshness, and a vein of minerality underpinning the expression. 3.65pH. Harvest September 14 to October 1.
96pts Wine Advocate
A classic blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2023 Angélus reflects this estate's continuing evolution with regard to ripeness, extraction and élevage choices, offering up attractive aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with hints of mint, potpourri, rose petals, vine smoke and orange zest. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and supple, with a velvety attack that segues into a core of pure, pillowy fruit framed by supple, powdery tannins, it's cool and harmonious, concluding with a long, perfumed finish. This is a terrific effort that foregrounds the vintage and the terroir at their best.
96pts Vinous
The 2023 Angélus is elegant and polished right out of the gate. Floral top notes and bright acids bring out the more refined side of Angélus. The 2023 shows how much Angélus has evolved in recent years. Bright red-toned fruit, blood orange, mint and rose petal lend notable verve. The blend is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. About half of the Franc is being raised in foudre. All the elements are so well integrated for a young wine. It is one of the best recent vintages I have tasted.–Antonio Galloni
96pts Jeb Dunnuck
The 2023 Château Angélus is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc that’s fermented in its individual parcels and isn't blended until very late. It's very much in the more fresh, focused, precise style of this château and has a beautiful nose of ripe black raspberries, cassis, spicy wood, melted crayons, and tobacco. This carries to a medium to full-bodied Angélus with remarkable purity, ultra-fine tannins, and beautiful overall balance. It's certainly not the biggest or richest Angélus, but it has incredible purity, focus, and elegance.
