Angélus St-Émilion 2000

99 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "Medium garnet-brick in color, the 2000 Angélus comes galloping out of the glass with a powerful nose of fragrant earth, damp soil, iron ore and cigar box over a core of prunes, blackberry jam and dried mulberries. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegantly styled with great freshness and loads of earth and mineral-inspired layers, framed by grainy tannins, finishing with a lingering menthol lift. It is in a sweet spot for drinking right now, although it should go on for another 15-20 years. Drink: 2020-2040. (10/22/20)"

99 points Robert Parker: "Approaching perfection, this wine is inky, bluish/purple-colored to the rim, offering up notes of incense, blueberry and blackberry liqueur, licorice, graphite and spring flowers. A touch of roasted espresso bean is also present. The wine has great concentration, a magnificent, full-bodied mouthfeel, stunning purity, and well-integrated acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood. This beauty seems to be in mid-adolescence with at least 25-30 years of life ahead. (Aug 2015)"

99 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "The final wine poured, coming forward in time after the 1995 and 2000 vintages, this wine is an absolute stunner. In the glass it is dark, shimmering and opaque, with a thin rim of toasted cherry red. The aromatic profile is nothing short of magnificent, loaded with liquorice, black bean and tobacco, with scents of chalk dust and a limestone freshness. There is wonderful density and purity here, such richness and poise, the style broad, supple, energetic and complete. It displays harmony, texture and substance, with fairly primary notes of black bean and spiced, grilled black plum. Loaded with svelte and peppery tannins, with such a long and energetic finish, this is a remarkable wine. What it misses in current charm – I would rather drink the 1990, tasted alongside, right now – this makes up for in sheer, brooding potential. Come back in twenty years time – this is going to be one stupendous bottle of wine. (Apr 2019)"

98 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2000 Angelus has a deep garnet color, with a touch of brick. It comes bounding out of the glass with expressive, mature scents of baked black cherries, prunes, and boysenberry preserves, followed by nuances of cigar box, new leather, fennel seed, and iron ore. The medium-bodied palate has a seductively satiny texture, with well-knit freshness supporting the fragrant black fruit preserve layers, finishing long and earthy. Drinking beautifully now, it still has a good 20-25 years+ to go! Alcohol 14%. Drink: 2024-2039. (2/7/24)"

98 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(50% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon). Tasted at the estate during the Connoisseur Week in June 2022, this was the wine of the night among tough competition. Packed with waves of flavour that turn from understated to dominant as it unrolls in the glass, changing each moment in the way that only truly great wines can manage. The texture is dominated by velvety tannins and supple fruits, blackberry, passion fruit, damson puree, turmeric, espresso, tar and smoked earth, with tannins that are just on the edge of austere even at 22 years old, suggesting that although this is at a great moment to drink it is going nowhere. 100% new oak, Hubert de Boüard owner and winemaker at the time. Alcohol 13%. Drink: 2022-2038. (6/9/22)"

98 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Compelling in every sense of the word, the star of the show is all the perfectly ripe, silky berries cloaked in layers of velvet-textured tannins on the palate. The seemingly endless finish, with its layers of plums, chocolate fudge, black cherries, spice, and earthy nuances keeps you coming back for sip after sip. The only issue here is that the bottle is emptied faster than you'd like. (Sep 2021)"

97 points Wine Spectator: "Out of this world. Incredible aromas of crushed blackberries and cherries, with wet earth, mineral and mint. Full-bodied, with fantastically refined, silky tannins and a long, long finish. Terrific. Greatest Angelus I have ever tasted. Best after 2010. (3/31/03)"