2003 Château Angélus (Ex-Château) Impériale (6L)

Historic summer heat challenged Saint-Émilion, yet the estate's clay-limestone slopes provided crucial water reserves during severe drought. Early August harvest preserved freshness, particularly in the amphitheater's old-vine parcels. The wine shows concentrated black fruits, dark spice, and mineral notes with remarkable power from this unprecedented vintage.

The 2005 vintage in Bordeaux was near-perfect, with a warm, dry growing season that delivered small, concentrated berries of exceptional ripeness and balance. Château Angélus excelled in these conditions, crafting a wine of remarkable precision, richness, and longevity. Considered one of the greatest vintages of the 21st century, 2005 is a benchmark year for Bordeaux.

Early growth was followed by slow ripening due to August and early September weather, preserving freshness and aging potential. Healthy, perfectly ripe grapes allowed for meticulous harvesting. The resulting wines are dense with vibrant fruit aromas and subtle toasty notes, offering balance and elegant freshness.

The 2007 vintage in Bordeaux was cool and damp, requiring extensive vineyard work and strict grape selection. Château Angélus’ attention to detail resulted in a well-balanced, early-drinking wine with finesse. While not as powerful as other vintages, it shines for its elegance and accessibility.

Since the vines were clean and disease-free, harvesting began late on 3rd October. Picking could really be carried out depending solely on the ripeness of each plot and only on fine days. The deep black Merlot with the Cabernet Franc that traditionally does so well at Angelus, produced outstandingly dense wines with thick, richly supple, round body. The aromas are reminiscent of black berries and plum as well as delicate mineral and flowery notes. Long and fresh on the palate, their concentration is expressed as a silky elegance.

These wines exhibit a deep, inky black color. Their nose reveals fresh, ripe fruit aromas that avoid any hint of jamminess. The bouquet is dominated by pure notes of red cherries, raspberries, and blackberries. On the palate they display lovely concentration with substance, but are in no way heavy. Their silky tannins balance perfectly with their supple richness. These wines are powerful and concentrated, but velvet smooth and subtle too.

Perfect summer conditions and cool nights allowed for steady ripening across the estate's clay-limestone slopes and côtes. The old vines, particularly Cabernet Franc in the natural amphitheater, reached optimal maturity under clear autumn skies. The wine displays profound black fruits, graphite, and limestone notes with remarkable tension between power and freshness.

October sun proved crucial after an uneven summer in Saint-Émilion, while Angélus's amphitheater positioning maximized late-season ripening hours. The estate's limestone-clay soils regulated moisture through periods of drought and rain. The Cabernet Franc on limestone plateaus achieved full maturity, lending aromatic lift and precision to the final blend.

The 2014 vintage had a cool, rainy summer followed by a sunny and dry September, which allowed for excellent ripening. Château Angélus crafted a wine of balance and freshness, emphasizing finesse and aging potential. It’s a vintage celebrated for its classic style.

The 2015 vintage in Saint-Émilion was exceptional, with ideal weather conditions throughout the growing season. Warm days and cool nights in September helped refine grape ripeness, producing wines with impressive balance and elegance. At Château Angélus, this translated into a blend of ripe Merlot and refined Cabernet Franc, creating a wine with depth, silky tannins, and fresh, rich fruit flavors—a true reflection of the region's excellence in 2015.

The 2016 vintage had ideal weather, with a wet spring followed by a dry, sunny summer and perfectly timed rain in September. Château Angélus produced a wine of exceptional balance, combining concentration with remarkable freshness and precision. It is hailed as one of the greatest modern Bordeaux vintages.