CRITIC REVIEWS
Neal Martin
The Merlot for the 2024 Angelus was picked from September 11 to September 28 and the Cabernet Franc from September 29 to October 3. The Merlot aged in new oak, with some aged in white barrels. Half of the Cabernet Franc aged in <em>foudres</em> and the rest in new oak and one-year-old barrels. This has an intriguing bouquet that deserves a little more reflection than some of its peers. A touch of fish scales commingles with black olive tapenade alongside dark berry fruit in what you might describe as a "cool" nose. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. The 2024 is certainly a more linear Angelus, saline with a liberal sprinkling of black pepper. It gains modest depth on the graphite-tinged and Cabernet-driven finish, which is drier than previous vintages (as expected in this vintage). There is fine salinity with a shorter aftertaste than you would find in a warm vintage. This is well-crafted and just needs more flesh on the slender finish. Maybe that will develop during its elevage? It will be an enjoyable Angelus rather than a profound one destined for long-term aging.
JancisRobinson.com
60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc. 40 hl/ha. Hubert de Bouard s 40th vintage. Cask sample.Deep, bright, purple colour. Fragrant nose with blueberry and floral notes. Real depth through the mid palate with plentiful but finely honed tannins. Length on the finish, the fruit flavour lingering. Structured and elegant with no hard edges. (JL)