Bordeaux 2012: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (May 2013)

(55% merlot and 45% cabernet franc): Deep, glass-staining purple-ruby. Knockout nose is redolent of fresh cassis, plum, minerals and sweet, spicy oak. Dense and suave, with very precise flavors of plum, blackberry, blueberry and minerals. Finishes very long, with repeating notes of blueberry and violets and chocolatey oak. The use of oak here isn’t shy, but at least the wood is well integrated. One of the better wines of the vintage. Readers probably know that Angelus was finally elevated to Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe A status, a testament to the work and dedication of owner Hubert de Bouard de Laforest.