Château Angelus Winery Guide

Winery Overview

The name Angelus supposedly derives from a particular vineyard where devout winemakers could hear the Angelus bell tolling from all the town’s churches. The estate was brought by the present owner’s great-grandfather, Comte Maurice de Boüard, in 1921. He also owned another property, Château Mazerat, and after World War II, his sons united the two estates under their present name. The next generation took over in the form of the dynamic Hubert de Boüard in 1985. Hubert felt that the Château was underperforming, and he has worked hard since to re-energize the property. His energy and investment were rewarded in 1996 when the Château was promoted to a First Growth – which was well deserved! Just ask the actor Daniel Craig, who drank a bottle of Angelus as James Bond in the film Casino Royale.

There was a clear change of direction when Hubert took over from his father, not least his commitment to biodynamic farming methods. Fertilization is now organic rather than chemical; the grass is covered between the vine rows, and great emphasis is placed on naturally preserving the soil’s health. Angelus has become a leading example in the region by implementing sustainability practices; let us hope his predecessors follow his lead. Hubert even frequently visited Burgundy in the 1980s and has adopted some of their wine-making methods. People were skeptical, but he has, of course, been vindicated. His wines are the most opulent in the Saint-Emilion region – rich, exotic, and heady. Anyone who tries them falls immediately in love. We are sure you will, too!

Today, Château Angelus is one of St-Emilion’s finest estates, and it’s not hard to see why tens of thousands of visitors are drawn to this town. Thanks to its unspoiled character and medieval monuments, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site. Picturesque vineyards stretch in all directions from the hub of the old town. St-Emilion’s celebrity has always been closely tied to the wealth and renown of its famous Châteaux, who continue to produce some of the world’s finest and most awe-inspiring red wine.

Further Reading

Author

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James Lawrence

With a passion for food & drink that verges on the obsessive, wine writer James Lawrence has traveled the world in search of the perfect tipple. To date, nothing has surpassed the 1952 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Rioja Reserva, tasted in the cobweb-filled cellars with owner María José. Meanwhile, James has been writing for a wide variety of publications for over 12 years, including Telegraph, Decanter, Harpers, The Drinks Business, and Wine Business International. He lives in South Wales and returns to his former university city, Bilbao, as much as possible.

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