17 May 2022

Released this morning, 2021 Château Angludet was the last wine we tasted at the end of our visit to Bordeaux last month and was a wonderful high point to finish on, with its sleek, elegant and polished nose and palate.  If you wanted to explain to someone how wines from the commune of Margaux should taste, you could do much worse than give them 2021 Angludet.  We found the light touch and medium body thrilling, but it has led the critics to give modest scores (feel the width, not the quality?).  Julia Harding for Jancisrobinson.com seems to have experienced the wine as we did, finding an 'ethereal quality'.  Ditto Jane, Anson, who finds 'waves of Margaux-signature florality.'   

Currently in conversion to biodynamics, the style at Château Angludet has moved towards the expression of terroir in recent vintages, with increasing use of amphorae (up to 50% in this vintage), to emphasise fruit and minerality rather than oak.  Jancis Robinson described the zeitgeist in Bordeaux in a recent article, describing this style as ‘new old’ wines which "delightfully combine the classicism of traditional bordeaux with modern winemaking and vine-growing sophistication."  

Our advice is to follow Angludet every year, the quality is always so consistent and such good value, whilst expressing the character of the year.   There is so much pleasure to be had in getting to know the wine well and appreciating each new vintage, it really does enhance the enjoyment.  If you have yet to try it, the 2021 is a great vintage to start with, so do let us know if you would like to add some to your cellar.

Landing spring 2024.

To order, simply e-mail us at sales@richardkihl.ltd.uk

 

Producer Profile

Château Angludet, Margaux

Château Angludet is an AOC wine in the commune of Margaux.  Originally classified as a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, the estate tends not to refer to its Cru Bourgeois status and prefers to operate outside of the classification, equalling many Grand cru classé wines in quality.  The estate has been owned by the Sichel family (co-owners of Palmer) since 1961 and is currently the home of Ben Sichel.  

Named after Bertrand d'Angludet, the knight who owned the estate in 1150, it is one of the oldest châteaux in the region.  The 32 hectares of vineyards have remained largely intact and unchanged since 1758.  The free-draining, gravely and sandy soils here are classic Médoc terroir.  The vineyards are planted with 46 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, 41 per cent Merlot and 13 per cent Petit Verdot (an unusually high proportion compared to most left bank estates). The estate is currently in conversion to biodynamic viticulture.