2023 Carillon d'Angélus, St Emilion, Bordeaux

Blend: 60% Merlot; 40% Cabernet Franc.

No longer a second wine of Angélus by any measure, Carillon is made from its own 18 hectares of vines and its own winery. The aim is to show the different expressions of Merlot across a variety of terroirs. But in some ways, this is reminiscent of the grand vin as it used to be: lush, unctuous and hedonistic, with plump and polished tannins. Except that now the modern sensibilities of the grand vin are also applied.

While the wine is undeniably generous and rounded, there is a juiciness and a considered reserve that gives the wine a delicious drinkability. All Merlot’s personalities are in place: silky damson, raspberry, cocoa, five spice. This is an immediate crowd-pleaser, but with ample in reserve for cellaring. This is a wine with its own purpose and character.

Drink 2027 - 2037

Our score: 17/20

Berry Bros. & Rudd