The 2009 Angelus Bordeaux Blend is a standout wine from the renowned Saint Emilion sub-region in Bordeaux, France. Produced by Angelus, this red wine is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, sealed with a traditional cork and boasting an alcohol content of 14.5%.
James Suckling from jamessuckling.com awarded this wine a score of 96, describing it as reminiscent of "really good British Christmas cake," highlighting its rich and polished character with a "long moderately dry finish packed with powdery tannins." He suggests it can be enjoyed now or held for future aging.
Chuck Hayward from JJ Buckley also gave a commendable score of 94, noting its "restrained bouquet" and "very deeply colored" appearance. He appreciated the wine's "big tannins" and "full-bodied" nature, with flavors of dark fruits and tobacco culminating in a "nice long finish."
Wine Spectator matched Suckling’s score of 96, characterizing the wine as "rich and rather stolid." They highlighted its "wall of roasted apple wood and charcoal flavors" alongside a dense core of black fruit and espresso notes. The review predicts that the inlaid spice and tobacco hints will emerge fully with extended cellaring, recommending it be best enjoyed from 2018 through 2035.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, through Lisa Perrotti-Brown, gave an almost perfect score of 99. She praised the wine's deep garnet color and complex nose of "blackberry preserves, warm black cherries, stewed plums and dried herbs." The palate is described as "rich, spicy and decadent" with a "plush, velvety texture" and a long, spicy finish.
Jeb Dunnuck from jebdunnuck.com awarded the wine a perfect score of 100, calling it "a perfect wine in every way." He extolled its "mammoth-sized bouquet" of cassis, smoked tobacco, and flowery incense, along with its "full-bodied richness" and "flawless balance."
Wine Enthusiast, with a score of 94, noted the wine's potential, describing it as "closed at this stage," but promising "a huge, ripe future" with dense, dark tannins balanced by freshness.
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com scored the wine 98, emphasizing its "complex array of coffee bean, licorice, dark cocoa, plums, cherry, and truffle" aromas and its "full, rich, dense and intense" palate with a "silky, cashmere texture."
Decanter awarded a score of 97, pointing out its "intense chocolate and turmeric spices" and dominant blackberry and black cherry fruits, with a suggested additional aging period before drinking.
Finally, The Wine Independent, also with a perfect score of 100, praised its "deep garnet color" and "gregarious notions of Indian spices, kirsch, blackberry pie, and plum preserves," leading to a "plush, jam-packed" palate with a very long and "beautifully fragrant" finish.
In summary, the 2009 Angelus Bordeaux Blend is a highly celebrated wine, with several reviewers giving it near-perfect scores. Its rich, complex flavors and potential for aging make it a remarkable choice for collectors and enthusiasts alike.