The vineyard of Chateau Angélus is situated in a natural amphitheatre overlooked by the three Saint-Emilion churches. In the middle of this special site, the sounds were amplified and the angelus bells could be heard ringing in the morning, at midday and in the evening. They cadenced the working day in the vineyards and villages, calling the men and women to stop their labours for a few minutes and pray.

Less than a kilometre from the famous Saint-Emilion bell tower, situated on the much-vaunted south-facing “foot of the hill”, Angélus has been the life work of eight generations of the Boüard de Laforest family.

In the first-ever classification of Saint-Emilion wines in 1954, Chateau Angélus was a Grand Cru Classé. Already at the time, it benefitted from a solid reputation, which helped it survive the Bordeaux wine crisis of 1973 and take part in the oenological renewal of the 1980’s. This was the context in which Hubert de Boüard de Laforest, a graduate oenologist from Bordeaux University, took advantage of this marvellous wine’s illustrious past, while being resolutely turned towards the future and launched and continued to implement an ambitious, innovative policy in favour of achieving excellence in wine growing and making.

95 points Jeb Dunnuck

The 2008 Angélus offers a still youthful, vibrant color as well as a classic Angélus bouquet of spice box, black currants, tobacco, and hints of white truffle. This elegant, silky effort is beautifully balanced, with sweet tannin and a great finish. (JD) (2/2019)

94 points Decanter

Tightly structured even at 10 years old, this is fully oaked with turbocharged brambly fruit underneath. Every time you question the dominance of the grilled herbs and sweet cedar, the damson fruit and acidity give a fresh impetus to the palate, carrying the whole thing forward. Well crafted and undoubtedly makes an impression, with long ageing potential. (NB: Angélus had not yet been upgraded to '1er Grand Cru Classé A' status in St-Emilion in 2008. It was upgraded in 2012. (JA) (12/2017)

94 points Wine Enthusiast

Outer quote mark A complete wine, from the black currant fruits through the balanced tannins to the acidity. It is sturdy, complex, a wine that is already singing and will age well. *Cellar Selection* (RV) Inner quote mark (4/2011)

93 points Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark A strong effort in this under-appreciated vintage that sold for a song, the 2008 Angelus is still young and vibrant, with a dense purple color and a sweet kiss of chocolate-infused blackberries and blackcurrants. There are some floral notes, as well as forest floor and lead pencil nuances. Medium to full-bodied with ripe tannin and outstanding equilibrium and purity, this is another beauty from a much more challenging vintage. (RP) Inner quote mark (8/2015)

93 points Vinous

Outer quote mark The 2008 Angélus is a vintage that I have tasted many times. It boasts a rich but fortunately not overbearing bouquet adorned with macerated red cherries, camphor, hints of jalapeño pepper and later, a tang of dried blood, almost ferrous. The palate is medium-bodied with smooth polished tannin matched with well judged acidity. It is backward in style to the point that you could almost describe it as "charmless", though that is by dint of its youthfulness. It just needs time. Signaling that this Angélus clams up towards the finish as if to say: "Too early". You know what? It is probably right. (NM) Inner quote mark (2/2018)

92 points John Gilman

A lot of the 2008 Angélus’ complexity is derived from a stylish blend of different kinds of new oak (a technique I scoffed at with the 2005, but which really does work in this 2008), and in this vintage this really adds some dimension to the aromatic mix of mocha, cherries, plums, milk chocolate, fresh herbs and plenty of spicy wood. On the palate the wine is medium-full, suave and classy on the attack, with good mid-palate depth and quite impressive length and grip on the remarkably elegant and moderately tannic finish. Angélus seems to be one of the modern wines in the commune that is coming to the realization that breed outpaces volume in the world of claret, and the 2008 is a remarkably impressive example of the vintage. I hope that this is a sign of things to come at Angélus. 92+ (7/2011)

92 points Int'l Wine Cellar

Bright red-ruby. Plum, cedar shavings and sexy chocolatey oak on the nose. Lush and seamless in the mouth, with a restrained sweetness to the flavors of plum, smoke, licorice and mint. Conveys a delightlfully weightless quality. Lovely elegant, balanced 2008, with nothing excessive about it. The Cabernet Franc contributes perfume and definition. (ST) (8/2011)

91 points Wine Spectator

A ripe, flashy style, with alluring espresso and cocoa aromas giving way to layers of plum sauce, fig and prune. Dark and fleshy through the creamy-textured finish, with a flash of minerality checking in. (JM) (5/2011)