55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc

Neal Martin: 94, Decanter: 95

Neal Martin: Tasted blind as a vintage comparison at the Valandraud vertical, the 2012 Angelus has a forward and generous bouquet of mulberry, boysenberry, orange rind and slithers of tangerine. It is undoubtedly detailed and energetic, a subtle marine scent surfacing with continued aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded and supple tannin, slightly honeyed in texture yet with a keen line of acidity running through it. Impressive body and mass, yet primal, surly and broody. Perhaps only now is it starting to flex its muscles. This is a well crafted and opulent Saint Emilion with a long future ahead and it may warrant a higher score in the future. Those who cellar this for over a decade will see this in full flight.

Decanter: More delicate than the 2010, but still showing power and depth, with aromatics of smoke, violet and peony. The purity of the aromatics continues with the precision of the flavours. Nothing shouts too loudly, with the same pulses of salinity on the finish that you find in the 2010, helping to stretch and slow things out. A real success, just starting to soften and show its colours. Harvest October 8th to 19th. This was the year of promotion to Premier Grand Cru Classé A.