Stories of the nominees

Château Angélus Grand Vin Blanc – great for chosen

France

2020 Château Angélus Grand Vin Blanc Vin de Pays de l’Atlantique is a blend of four varieties – Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon. “Blending four unlikely bedfellows has resulted in a wine that is far greater than the sum of its parts.” says leading wine writer Raymond Blake of this first vintage of 2020.

Château Angélus, one of the largest and most prestigious estates in Saint-Emilion, hardly needs an introduction to Bordeaux lovers, and indeed to anyone who understands wine. Château Angélus is synonymous with impeccable quality and success. And Château Angélus regularly appears in the movies, it played the leading role in three James Bond films, in the iconic film about the life of Edith Piaf, and others.

“However, until now its popularity has been based solely on the quality of red wines,” writes Raymond Blake in his research.

Château Angelus

Château Angelus wines have a deep red color, an elegant aroma filled with floral and berry tones, dominated by the shades of coffee and plums. And here is the 2020 Château Angélus Grand Vin Blanc Vin de Pays de l’Atlantique, a unique white wine (only 2,000 bottles per year), and as the château says “it will never reach a wide audience, the wine is only available for receptions at the estate”.

“For the production of Château Angélus Grand Vin Blanc, we keep only the best grapes from a very small plot. The result is a micro-cuvee, which is produced in the amount of 2,000 bottles per year. We reserve this rare wine for the receptions held at the estate with our most loyal customers, as well as for the Angélus dinners organized with our partners,” the château owners say.

Grand Vin Blanc wine is made from Chardonnay (40%), Chenin Blanc (20%), Sauvignon Blanc (20%), Semillon (20%). 13% ABV.

Raymond Blake writes that “trying to dissect the aroma and flavor of this wine, to determine the contribution each grape variety makes, is largely a futile exercise. A tasting might attribute the Chardonnay to the base, the Chenin gives a bit of minerality, the Sauvignon – freshness, and the Semillon delivers a light shine. The shape of the bottle and the elegant label, which attracts attention with its simplicity, rather than bright decorations, create an attractive and winning combination.”

The aroma is pure fruit and fresh flowers. The beautiful depth of taste turns into a crystal clear and long aftertaste. “Balanced and precise wine.”