Winery: Chateau Angelus

Country / Region: France / Bordeaux

Date Winery was established: 1909

Alcohol / Volume: 13.5% / 750ml

Grape Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Franc

First Vintage released: 1927

Ratings: 97pts Robert Parker / 95pts Jeff Leve

Good to know: The château was so named because of the presence of church bells that could be heard chiming from the original plots of vineyards, amplified by the natural amphitheater the hill of Saint-Émilion creates.

In 1996, Château Angélus, which had been classified as a Grand Cru Classé in the Saint-Émilion Classification of 1954, was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé. In 2012, the château was promoted once again to the top rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé A, joining only three others, châteaux Ausone, Pavie and the famous Cheval Blanc.

The Château Angélus grand vin is made of a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, and is aged in new oak for 18 months. It then spends at least five years in bottle before it is released, but can be aged for much longer.