The 2022 Le Carillon d'Angélus is a rich, boisterous wine. Succulent dark cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather and licorice are nicely pushed forward. Racy and pliant, the 2022 Carillon is showing quite well in this tasting.    

94 POINTS WINE ENTHUSIAST

95/96 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING

95 POINTS FALSTAFF

94 POINTS JANE ANSON

Most recently spotted as James Bond's claret of choice once again in No Time to Die, and previously in both Casino Royale and Spectre, Château Angélus is one of only four châteaux classified as 1er Grand Cru Classé, sitting alongside the greats of Ausone, Pavie and Cheval Blanc. It gained the coveted classification in 2012, the first of only two châteaux to have been promoted to the top ranks since the original classification in 1955. Le Carillon d'Angelus is the Chateau 2nd wine.

Its well-placed vines - the majority of which are Cabernet Franc - grow in a natural amphitheatre of sandy limestone and clay. This unique terroir helps to impart its rich, complex character but is also credited for naming the estate. The amphitheatre’s acoustics allowed vineyard workers to hear the church bells chime from St-Emilion, Mazerat and Saint-Martin.

The 2022 vintage is only 10% Cabernet Franc with 90% Merlot. The wine spent 16- to 18-months in fine-grain French oak barrels with medium char, of which 60% are new and 40% second-fill barrels. Rich and aromatic, this remains fresh and lively, and is one degree lower in alcohol than in the 2010 vintage. The fruit is aromatic, with blackberry and mulberry, but remains restrained and elegant, with subtle mineral notes. There's lots of energy in the bright fruit, grippy tannin and creamy oak flavours. This year half of the Cabernet Franc, of which they are particularly proud, was aged in larger casks, the remainder in new barrels.

Maturation: The wine spent 16- to 18-months in fine-grain French oak barrels with medium char, of which 60% are new and 40% second-fill barrels.