Chateau Angelus Saint-Emillion 2005

100 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (Tasted 4/6/2024)
The 2005 Chateau Angelus has been absolute pure perfection every time I’ve been lucky enough to taste it, surpassing the 1990 and rivalving the 2009. Based on 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, it has a dense ruby/plum hued to go with mammoth-sized aromatics of red and black currants, smoked tobacco, scorched earth, truffle and smoke. Incredibly concentrated and full-bodied, it has beautiful tannins and flawless balance. While I certainly appreciate the slightly more dialed back, finesse-drive style of Angelus today, tasting this sensational, singular beauty makes me miss this powerful, more opulent style.

100 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (Tasted 12/2017)
The 2005 Angelus is as good as it gets, and despite having 2-3 decades of prime drinking ahead of it, is as profound a drinking experience as money can buy even today. Offering off the hook notes of blackcurrants, smoked herbs, blackberries, toasted spice, espresso and scorched earth, this beauty is unctuous and opulent on the palate, with incredible depth, yet never seems heavy, cumbersome or over the top.

100 Points, Robert Parker, Jr. (Tasted 8/2015)
Truly great stuff, this wine performed at a three-digit level both in the horizontal tasting of 2005s in Baltimore, as well as in Montreal at this mini-vertical. This sensational, opaque, bluish/purple wine offers up notes of vanillin, spring flowers, blueberry and blackberry liqueur, plus a touch of licorice. The wine hits the palate with a thunderous cascade of ripe, rich, concentrated fruit. It is full-bodied, multidimensional and layered. The tannins are beautifully integrated but still present, and the wood, acidity, alcohol, etc., are all beautifully assimilated in this magnificent, majestic vintage of Angelus.

100 Points, Robert Parker, Jr. (Tasted 6/2015)
Following the stunning fragrance of acacia flowers, blueberries, espresso and graphite, this prodigious wine hits the palate with amazing blue and black fruits, sweet tannin, a full-bodied mouthfeel, incredible purity, texture and length. Little is left to chance or imagination in this compelling effort. It is a quintessential style of l’Angélus, only more concentrated and dense than usual. The tannins are sweet and well-integrated, so this is a wine that one can drink despite its infancy at age 10, but it will keep for 40-50 years.

100 Points, Lisa-Perotti Brown, Wine Independent (Tasted 1/2024)
A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2005 Angelus is deep garnet in color, with a touch of brick. it needs a bit of patient swirling to unlock notes of plum preserves, blueberry compote, fruitcake, and cigar box, plus suggestions of licorice and Sichuan pepper. The full-bodied palate is concentrated with black fruit and exotic spice layers, supported by firm, grainy tannins and seameless freshness finishing on a long-lingering aniseed note.