Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016, 750ml

The "Perfect" Classic: Precision and Tension

If you are looking for perfection, you have found it in the 2016 Château Angélus. Widely considered one of the greatest wines ever produced on the Right Bank, this vintage serves as the "cool" counterpoint to the warm 2015.

Thanks to cool nights during the harvest, this wine possesses an electric tension that the 2015 lacks. It is "vertical" and architectural—built on a spine of incredible acidity and ultra-fine tannins. This is not just a wine of power; it is a wine of finesse, offering a crystal-clear expression of the estate’s limestone terroir. It is a bottle that belongs in the cellar of every serious collector.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Deep, brooding, and precise. It takes time to open, revealing pure notes of crème de cassis, graphite (pencil lead), and wet limestone. As it breathes, elegant notes of violet flowers and forest floor emerge.

• Palate: The definition of "tension." It is full-bodied but feels weightless. The fruit is crunchy and fresh—blackberry and red currant—supported by tannins that feel like polished stone.

• Finish: Saline, mineral-driven, and lasting for over a minute.

Technical Details

• Vintage: 2016

• Appellation: Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

• Blend: 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc

• Alcohol: 14%

• Critical Acclaim: 100 Points (Wine Enthusiast), 100 Points (James Suckling), 98+ Points (Robert Parker)

Serving & Pairing

• Drinking Window: 2026 through 2060+. (Hold this if you can).

• Decanting: 3–4 hours. This wine is tight and needs aggressive aeration.

• Food Pairing: Refined, classic cuisine. Rack of lamb with thyme, filet mignon, or truffle risotto.