Chateau Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2003

I had this wine from my cellar, as well as at a tasting in Zurich in February of 2015. It is one of the handful of 2003s I bought from the Right Bank of Bordeaux in this vintage. Angelus really nailed the vintage, and has produced a fully mature wine that’s truly strutting its stuff. Dense, bluish/purple, it offers gorgeous notes of espresso roast, blackberry and blueberry liqueur, acacia flowers and a touch of chocolate. It is full-bodied, opulent and seems close to full maturity, as it is evolving quickly. The wine is full-bodied, rich and should be drunk over the next decade.

A compelling nose of curry and dark fruits, with rose petal and tobacco undertones. Frankly, a wild nose. Full-bodied and racy, this has fine tannins and a round texture. Fresh herbs, berries, and currants on the palate open up to a fresh finish. Three more years will do this wine good. Pull the cork in 2013.

Full medium ruby. Aromas of black raspberry, roasted redcurrant, bitter chocolate, game and flowers. Dense, full and broad, with a chocolatey ripeness leavened by a floral element. Extremely primary and sappy, with no lack of lift. But despite its impressive sweetness in the middle palate, this is a bit youthfully brutal today and not yet pliant. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins that reach the front teeth, and excellent length. This should be one of the top St. Emilions of the vintage but is rather austere today and will need a good eight to ten years to approach maturity.