The 2008 Angelus Bordeaux Blend, from the Saint Emilion sub-region of Bordeaux, France, is a red wine that has garnered plenty of attention from professional reviewers for its complexity and aging potential. Produced by Angelus, this wine is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, bottled with a cork and boasting an alcohol content of 14%.
Connoisseurs' Guide rated this vintage 92 points, noting its "very rich fully ripened wine whose expression of substantial sweet-currant fruit seems amplified with each sip." They praised its volume, full body, and fine balance, stating it stands with the better bottlings of its district.
Wine Spectator gave it a 91, describing it as a "ripe flashy style with alluring espresso and cocoa aromas giving way to layers of plum sauce, fig, and prune." This review highlights the wine's dark and fleshy character, with a creamy finish and a hint of minerality.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded the wine 93 points, calling it a "strong effort in this under-appreciated vintage." Parker described its dense purple color and flavors of "chocolate-infused blackberries and blackcurrants," also noting floral and earthy nuances. He emphasized its ripe tannin and outstanding equilibrium, recommending it be consumed now through 2030.
Decanter gave a high rating of 94 points, focusing on the delicacy of Cabernet Franc and the wine's youthful tension. They highlighted flavors of "black truffle, saffron, cinnamon, and fig puree," suggesting it needs more time to fully open up.
Jeb Dunnuck and The Wine Independent both rated the wine at 95 points. Dunnuck praised its "classic Angelus bouquet of spice box, black currants, tobacco, and white truffle," noting its elegance and balance. The Wine Independent emphasized its mature black fruit and savory accents, noting it as "ready-to-go" with a long and earthy finish.
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com also rated it 95, noting its evolving color and secondary notes of "truffle, smoke, licorice, hot bricks, herbs, and salty red berries." He recommended waiting another 3-5 years for an even better tasting experience.
Vinous awarded the wine 93 points, appreciating its "rich but not overbearing bouquet" and polished tannins. They noted its backward style, suggesting it needs more time to fully reveal its potential.
Wine Enthusiast gave the wine 94 points, calling it "sturdy, complex, a wine that is already singing and will age well."
The 2008 Angelus is clearly a wine with significant aging potential and complex, evolving flavors, highly regarded by multiple reviewers for its balance, richness, and longevity.