2016 Angelus

This is luscious, black cherry, damson, black chocolate, full of estate typicity, always a wine that has a full range of expression, interest, complexity and joy, grilled herbs, liquorice, crushed rocks, blackcurrant, cappuccino, one to sink into and let speak. An excellent vintage; Stéphanie de Boüard‑Rivoal director, Emmanuelle Aligny-Fulchi winemaker.

Tasted blind. Deep crimson with freshness on the nose. Lively tobacco-leaf flavours and lots of quite pinched tannins. Just a bit too much like hard work for perfection, but then it revealed itself! I marked this up. Less stodgy than C [Ch Cheval Blanc]. (JR)

Sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2016 Angélus erupts from the glass with powerful notes of blackberry pie, ripe black cherries and juicy black plums with an undercurrent of star anise, rose petals, chocolate mint, pencil shavings and woodsmoke plus a waft of allspice. The palate is pure decadence. Medium to full-bodied, rich and generously fruited, this wine is by no means heavy—it positively glimmers with freshness and vivacity, lending an ethereal nature to all that richness and power, beautifully framed by velvety tannins and finishing with epic length. The generosity, layers and plushness make for an absolutely DELICIOUS drink right now, but I'd suggest waiting 3-5 more years for the fireworks to really begin.