Château Angélus

Identity

Château Angélus is a winegrowing estate managed by Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal, alongside Thierry Grenié-de Boüard since 2017. The de Boüard de Laforest family has owned the property for eight generations. Hubert de Boüard de Laforest and Emmanuelle d'Aligny-Fulchi serve as the estate’s oenologists. Château Angélus is situated in Saint-Émilion, in the Gironde.

History and Philosophy

The presence of the de Boüard de Laforest family in the Saint-Émilion vineyard is documented as far back as 1782. The estate expanded from the 1920s through to the 1970s, notably through the acquisition of Clos de l'Angélus in the early 20th century by Maurice de Boüard, and a plot from Château Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarrosse in the late 1960s. The estate was ranked Grand Cru Classé in 1955. Hubert de Boüard took over management in 1985. In 1987, Carillon d'Angélus, the château's second wine, was created. In 1996, Château Angélus was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé B. The estate rose to Premier Grand Cru Classé A in 2012, the year the family’s eighth generation took the reins. Major cellar renovation and enhancement projects were undertaken in 2012, with a new winery inaugurated in 2014 and a dedicated winery for the second wine in 2019. In 2016, Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal officially took the helm of the château. In 2022, Château Angélus chose to withdraw from the Saint-Émilion classification. The estate is certified in organic farming, an accreditation made official in 2021.

Appellations

Château Angélus produces wines under the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation. The estate also produces wines under the Bordeaux, Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux, and Atlantique appellations.

Practical Information

Address: Angelus, 33330 Saint-Émilion

Telephone: 05 57 24 71 39

Email: angelus@angelus.com

Visits are by appointment only, from Monday to Friday. The estate does not offer accommodation, catering, or direct cellar-door sales.

Find Out More

Official estate website

The Vineyard (Terroir)

The Château Angélus vineyard spans a planted area of 52 hectares dedicated to red wines. The average vine age is 38 years. It is planted on a natural amphitheatre situated on the south-facing slope (côte) and foot of the slope (pied de côte) of Saint-Émilion. The soils are clay-limestone. The grape variety proportions are 51% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is predominantly grown on the clay-rich hillside, while Cabernet Franc thrives on the sandy-clay-limestone soils at the foot of the slope. The vines are cultivated with grass cover between rows and managed traditionally, including summer debudding and green harvesting. A draught horse is used to plough certain plots. The estate practises organic viticulture, for which it has been certified since 2021.

Flagship Cuvées

The estate's principal cuvée is Saint-Émilion Grand Cru. The second wine, created in 1987, is Carillon d’Angélus, sourced from a dedicated 18-hectare vineyard area planted predominantly with Merlot (around 90%). The estate also produces a third cuvée called N°3 d'Angélus, whose blend comprises 85 to 90% Merlot. The estate’s average annual production is approximately 90,000 to 100,000 bottles.

Vinification and Ageing

Harvesting is carried out by hand, with rigorous sorting in the vineyard and cellar, followed by 100% destemming. Vinification of Merlot takes place in wooden and stainless steel vats, whereas Cabernet Franc is fermented in concrete vats. Ageing generally lasts between 20 and 22 months. It is carried out in new oak barrels, as well as in 30 hl large wooden casks (foudres) for a portion of the Cabernet Franc. The second wine, Carillon d’Angélus, is vinified in stainless steel vats and aged for 16 months, primarily in 60% new oak barrels.