Château Angélus

Awards & Recognition

One of only two Premier Grand Cru Classé A estates (2012–2021 classification)
Regular mid‑to‑upper‑90 point scores; standout vintages include multiple 99-point ratings from Parker and others 
Notable visibility in film and culture, featured in multiple James Bond movies

About Château Angélus

Château Angélus is a Premier Grand Cru Classé estate in the Saint‑Émilion AOC, famed for its hallmark blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc and its iconic bell-symbol motif. Set in a natural amphitheatre at the foot of Saint‑Émilion’s southern slope, its terroir comprises limestone-clay soils over blue clay, with excellent drainage, water retention, and southwest exposure that nurtures vine ripening.

Covering roughly 23–24 ha, the vineyards consistently yield a house style defined by harmonious structure, layered red and black fruit, supple tannins, and firm oak integration. Managed by the Boüard de Laforest family for generations, led by Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal with Michel Rolland as consultant, the estate focuses on meticulous viticulture, selective aging, and visual symbolism tied to its Angelus bells motif.

Angélus produces a grand vin—Château Angélus—and the second wine Carillon d’Angélus, plus No. 3 d’Angélus and the newer satellite label Tempo d’Angélus

History

Origins & Early Establisment (1910–1955)

Maurice de Boüard acquired Domaine de Mazerat in 1910; his wife Élisabeth Bouchet acquired Clos de l’Angélus in 1922, laying the foundation for the property, which earned its Grand Cru Classé rank in the inaugural 1955 classification

Family Stewardship & Climb (1955–1996)

Under the Boüard family, including young oenologist Hubert de Boüard (joined 1976), the estate modernized, introduced new oak aging, and was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé B in 1996

Reaching the Summit & Organic Transition (1996–2022)

Angélus achieved Premier Grand Cru Classé A status in the 2012 classification. In 2018, the estate began full conversion to organic viticulture—the first Grand Cru Classé A to do so. In 2022, Angélus withdrew voluntarily from the official classification

Wine Styles

Grand Vin – Château Angélus

The flagship blend (≈51–60 % Cabernet Franc, 40–49 % Merlot, ~2 % Cabernet Sauvignon) varies by vintage and emphasizes Cabernet Franc from top south- and mid-slope parcels. Richly structured yet elegant, these wines deliver red and black fruit, spice, graphite, and refined oak tannins, with considerable aging potential. Fermentation typically spans three weeks, with élevage in 70–100 % new French oak

Second Wine – Carillon d’Angélus

Launched in 1987, it sources from 12 ha of younger vines, offering a fruit-driven, velvety, early-drinking alternative to the grand vin 

Third & Expansion Labels

No. 3 d’Angélus, predominantly Merlot-based (~85 %), delivers accessibility with estate character. Tempo d’Angélus, from acquired plots in Castillon, is a Bordeaux AOP debutant labeled as Bordeaux, reflecting the estate’s expanding terroir exploration 

Wine Portfolio

Saint‑Émilion’s Bell‑Ringing Flagship

Blend:

≈51–60 % Cabernet Franc, 40–47 % Merlot, ~2 % Cabernet Sauvignon

Awards & Recognition:

Multiple 99-point scores; lasting age-worthy structure

Carillon d’Angélus

Elegant Second Wine with Estate Core

Blend:

Bordeaux-style Merlot and Cabernet Franc

Awards & Recognition:

Noted for balance and finesse, typical 90+ scoring

No. 3 d’Angélus

Merlot‑Driven Entry to the Estate Style

Blend:

~85 % Merlot with Cabernet Franc and small Cabernet Sauvignon

Awards & Recognition:

Celebrated as exceptional third label with estate pedigree

93 Wine Advocate

Tempo d’Angélus

Bordeaux AOP from Castillon Terrior

Blend:

Merlot‑Cabernet blend adapted to Castillon soils

Awards & Recognition:

93 points from James Suckling

praised for bright, savory profilP

Did You Know?

Château Angélus is named for the audible chime of the Angelus across three local churches, a sonic signature reflected in its bell emblem 
It was the only Saint-Émilion estate promoted twice—to Classé B in 1996 and Classé A in 2012—under the same family stewardship 
Angélus was the first Premier Grand Cru Classé A estate to convert to organic viticulture, starting in 2018 
In 2022, it voluntarily withdrew from the Saint-Émilion classification, choosing independence over repositioning
The estate has featured in multiple James Bond films, amplifying its cultural prominence