2018
Le Phénix
Under the sign of eternity
The ancient Greeks named it after its colour –blood red. This imaginary and fascinating animal has existed throughout the eras and across different cultures. It symbolises one of the greatest dreams of humanity: immortality.
Red like blood and red like the embers of the fire from which it always rises again, and red also like grapes and their nectar.
Just like the Phoenix, the vine is in perpetual renewal. However, in each cycle, what it gives us is different. And on occasions this gift is of great value. 2018 is one of those vintages that are completely out of the ordinary and inhabited by life forces of their own.
In that year, the climatic conditions were such that our minds were filled with doubt and worry right up till the middle of July. Vigilance, determination and rigour on a daily basis enabled us to overcome these difficulties. And then the situation completely turned round. Suddenly the obstacles had disappeared and glorious conditions set in that enabled the grapes to ripen without ever being burned by the sun; and just as the Phoenix that rose from its ashes, 2018 produced a vintage as improbable as it was generous and magnificent.
To celebrate these moments in which nature takes an astonishing path, when linear time converges with the mythical “eternal return”, all the bottles of this vintage have been marked with the figure of the legendary bird that signifies eternity.
The Legendary Years
2018LE PHÉNIX
2014"L'indien"
2012"Le Premier"
2005"L'impétueux"
2000"L'équilibre"
1996
1992
1985
1953
1899
This vintage was also one of the great years for Bordeaux. At Angélus, it was acclaimed with outstanding scores from the greatest critics and unanimously hailed by all wine trade professionals. This unparalleled vintage features harmony, a balance between vigour and freshness, and aromatic precision.
2000 is a fabulous vintage in its own right, but it also conjures up the dreams of the new Millenium. It is a wine that demands superlatives with dazzling fruit that fills the mouth. It is amazingly concentrated and has a magnificent tannic structure.
In the year Château Angélus became a Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé “B”, the wines had lots of colour and displayed aromas of blackcurrant liqueur and leather. They were dense and big on the palate with finely crafted structure. This vintage showcases all the complexity of a classic great year.
Great terroirs express their distinction and even their superiority in difficult years. In 1992, despite periods of harsh weather, Angélus lavished intense care on its vines and was able to make a great wine, which is one of Bordeaux’s landmarks. It is a delight to taste with its inky robe and its nose of black fruits, liquorice, tobacco and hints of undergrowth. On the palate, it is velvet-smooth and fills the mouth and has balanced, tight tannins.
This year, Hubert de Boüard de Laforest took over the property. This was the first time that decisions concerning the vines and the work done in the cellars were taken by him alone. 1985 is therefore the year in which his initial ideas on adapting vineyard husbandry and winemaking techniques to the actual requirements of the vintage, were first put into practice. This first time, he admits that he was helped by nature, who gifted him some beautiful Merlot grapes. The 1985 vintage is very velvety and appealing. It has a roasted flavour with delicious hints of tobacco.
This very great vintage was harvested from 29th September to 17th October as related in the harvest notes kept by Jacques and Christian de Boüard de Laforest. A few bottles of these wines are opened on very special occasions at the chateau. Delightfully, these wines still have expressive bouquets, mixing tobacco with marmalade and fig jam aromas, and discernible structure supported by an enjoyable freshness.
This is the oldest bottle in the Angélus cellar. Here it lies like a warden of the past and a benevolent minder of its "descendants".
