Tasting Notes
Vinous 92
Deep ruby-red. Very complex aromas of plum, redcurrant, iron, mocha, cedar, milk chocolate and woodsmoke. Silky-sweet and voluptuous; very suave texture given shape by harmonious, ripe acids. Flavors are deep and complex. The thoroughly ripe tannins hit the palate quite late, allowing the strong fruit, mineral, chocolate and spice flavors to build. Today this shows more obvious balance and finesse than the massive young 2000.
Robert Parker 98
“The 1998 Angélus, a blend of 40% Cabernet Franc and 60% Merlot, is deep garnet colored with a touch of brick. The nose is completely…WOW! It has an incredible array of smoked meats, incense, cigar box and dusty earth notions over a core of baked cherries, dried mulberries, preserved plums and dried roses with wafts of lavender, menthol and new leather. The palate is medium to full-bodied, rich, intense and packed with black fruit preserves accented by complex savory and earth-inspired flavors, supported by wonderful freshness, textured by plush tannins and finishing with fantastic tension. This still has loads of life-25+ more years!”
Anticipated maturity: 2018-2043
JancisRobinson.com 17.5
Full bottle 1,295 g. 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc. Transparent garnet. Very rich and dense with some notes of iron and char and a lovely smooth sweet-yet-fresh palate. Very appetising and rather glorious. Really long and subtle. But it’s really quite evolved. Yummy though… I think it’s probably past its best.
Anticipated maturity: 2008-2026
