Château Angludet 2022 [in bond ex vat] (6 x 75cl) en primeur landing Spring 2025

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot

6 x 75cl * Biodynamic (in the process of certification) * 13.5% ABV * Margaux, Bordeaux, France

Owned by the Sichel family since 1961, Angludet is situated at the heart of the prestigious appellation of Margaux and surrounded by Cru Classé properties, including Angludet's sister vineyard, the more famous Château Palmer. Palmer, by the way, is one of those châteaux where the wine is sold by the bottle to us retailers, rather than the case - you know you're dealing with the 'big dogs' when that happens! Angludet would no doubt have been 'classified', as Palmer and other châteaux were in 1855 (Palmer is a third growth, but is often referred to as a 'super second'), but it was split up as part of an inheritance settlement and didn't qualify. Shame for them, but better for us and our pockets.

The chateau is in the process of Biodynamic certification, allowing the vines to build up their own defence to ward off attacks from fungus, parasites and even climate extremes. After a hot, dry Summer a few light rains followed at the end of September, allowing the vines to plump up their berries a little. In small quantities, these juices are rich, balanced and endowed with a nice acidity. This wine has been aged for 12 months with 50% in barrels (30% new French oak) and 50% in amphorae. In the winery, after some very decisive trials carried out in 2018 with four amphorae, Benjamin Sichel decided to switch over half of the maturation to amphorae as of 2019, hoping to contribute to preserving purity, clarity and aromatic delicacy of the wines.

"The Bordelais machine has already begun to alienate potential consumers with exaggerated claims to the effect that 2022 is "the best vintage ever"; yet there are some wines that do actually appear to merit such hyperbole, and the 2022 D'Angludet is one of them. Offering up deep aromas of inky cassis, plums, pencil lead and subtle spices, it's medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with a broad attack, ripe acids and a supple, seamless profile, concluding with an expansive finish." 91-93 points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate

"The intensity of the violet-edged colour extraction is pretty remarkable in the Médoc, and this manages to get the balance right between intensity and appeal, alongside vibrant raspberry, brushed damson and bilberry fruit, given lift by pomegranate and and passion fruit, and a curl of smoked earth. One to look out for, should be great value. 35% amphoras, 65% barrels for ageing." 94 Points, Janes Anson

Drink 2027 to 2042.

Please note prices are in-bond and exclude VAT and duty, which are payable when the wines land in-store in Spring/Summer 2025.