2010 Château Angélus

99 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter Magazine

This is so opulent it almost stops you in your tracks. 2010 is a big vintage anyway, and when layered up with the seductive power of prime Angélus, it's a package that absolutely delivers. The natural sweetness of the damson fruit is tempered by cherry pits, tar, dark chocolate, charcoal, liquorice and spice, showing incredible persistency. The tannins are layered and hefty, yet cashmere-like and balanced by the acidity, helped again by that shot across the bows that Cabernet Franc gives. This is the kind of year where you understand exactly why Angélus has seen the success that it has.

99 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter Magazine

2010 was the point at which everyone was sitting up and taking notice of Angélus, two years before they were officially recognised as a First Growth in the 2012 ranking. Extremely silky and concentrated, still knitted down and nowhere near ready to go. The Cabernet Franc side here is blossoming into violet freshness, accompanied step for step with blackberry, bilberry and crushed raspberry puree. The fruit is deep and concentrated, there is accompanying spice, cherry pits, grilled cinnamon and licorice but the overall feeling is of controlled, confident, autumnal fruit brushed over with a mineral-edged uplift through the finish. Great stuff here.

99 POINTS

James Suckling

The nose is impressively rich with an opulence and sexiness with earth, berry, spice and chocolate character. Black truffles! Full body, with seamless tannins and beautiful richness. It goes on for minutes. The layers of fruit and ripe tannins are phenomenal. This is the greatest Angelus ever for me. Try in 2018.

97 POINTS

Wine Spectator

Got patience? You'll need it to wait this brute out fully. A chunk of tar sits between you and the core of black currant, hoisin sauce and roasted Black Mission fig fruit flavors, while the back end is a road-paving machine laying down a smoldering tarry track of tobacco and freshly ground coffee. And there's an iron note too, as if this needed it. One of the most backward wines of the vintage. Best from 2017 through 2040. 8,750 cases made.

97 POINTS

James Suckling

Wild aromas of blackberries, dark chocolate and hints of toasted nuts. Very intense. Full bodied, with super integrated tannins and a fabulous finish. Goes on for minutes. This takes off on the palate. Really impressive. 45% Cabernet Franc and 555 Merlot.