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Château Angelus Winery Guide

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Winery Overview

The name Angélus derives from the estate’s natural amphitheater, where vineyard workers could hear the Angelus bells ringing from three surrounding churches. The de Boüard de Laforest family’s roots at Mazerat date to the late 18th century. Maurice de Boüard inherited the estate in the early 20th century and expanded it in 1920 by adding a three-hectare vineyard called Angélus. In 1945, he left the property to his sons Jacques and Christian, who continued its development. Hubert de Boüard, Jacques’s son, assumed management 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 Angélus was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé, and in 2012, when it was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé A. The estate subsequently withdrew from the 2022 classification process. 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. Under Hubert de Boüard, the estate placed increasing emphasis on soil health, biodiversity, and lower-impact vineyard practices; cover crops are maintained 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. Frequent visits to Burgundy during the 1980s also influenced Hubert’s approach to vineyard management and winemaking. Under his direction, Angélus became known for concentrated, richly textured wines, with Cabernet Franc contributing fragrance, freshness, and structure. More recent vintages have increasingly emphasized precision and balance.

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. In 1999, the Jurisdiction of Saint-Émilion, encompassing the medieval town and its surrounding vineyard landscape, was inscribed as 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, which continue to produce many of Bordeaux’s most celebrated red wines.

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Further Reading

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French Wine Classifications

July 9, 2024

Discover the rich history and traditions that have shaped French wine production, from the creation of regulated appellations to the rise of natural wines.

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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. López 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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