Chateau Angelus 1994

Parker: What hasn't this estate done right since the 1988 vintage? St.-Emilion's most consistent wine since 1988, and Bordeaux's most concentrated wine since 1990, L'Angelus has turned in a monumental performance in 1994. Is it St.-Emilion's answer to the 1990 Montrose? Proprietor Bouard feels the 1994 L'Angelus is more classic than the 1990, and just a notch below it in quality. It contains more Cabernet Franc (55%) than usual, with the balance Merlot. Unquestionably a great wine, as well as one of the potential "wines of the vintage," it will require considerable cellaring, so those who lack patience are advised to search out the more forward 1992 or 1993 L'Angelus. The color is an inky, opaque black/purple, and the nose offers up intense aromas of cassis, roasted nuts, herbs, vanillin, licorice, and spices. It is magnificently concentrated, with gobs of sweet tannin, unbelievable extraction of flavor, decent acidity, and a knock-out, mind-bogglingly long finish. Do not expect this wine to be ready to drink before the turn of the century. It is potentially a 50+ year wine. If you have not yet discovered how great the wines of L'Angelus have been since 1988, isn't it about time?