Angelus 2017 has been released at €276 per bottle ex-negociant, down 6% on the 2016 opening price of €294. It is being offered by the trade at £3,360 per 12×75.
The volumes offered on the market are 60% lower than last year. According to Antonio Galloni’s notes, production is down by only 20%.
Earlier in June, the drinks business announced new owner Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal’s intentions to tighten the distribution of Angelus. She told them: “My idea is to sell the wine to the right person, so we have efficient and fluid distribution. We want our wines to be drunk not sitting somewhere in storage room”.
If the chateaux intend to sell the wine during En Primeur, this is a very brave price. At £3,360, it is pitched among the more expensive vintages on the market but without the critical acclaim to match. The 2010, which is scored 99+ by Robert Parker, can be bought for less. The 2014 also looks attractive in comparison. It has 96 points from Neal Martin and is available at a 33% discount to today’s release.
The quality of the 2017 has been praised by critics. Decanter’s Jane Anson (96 points) noted its “great complexity…bilberries, charcoal and plush damson – the Angelus signature of power and glamour.” Neal Martin, who called it “excellent”, awarded it one of his highest scores: 94-96. His Vinous colleague Antonio Galloni called it “impeccable…Angelus is super-expressive today”.
This said, collectors have plenty of choice among the back vintages.
Liv-ex members can analyse this year’s releases using the Primeur analysis tool.
[mc4wp_form id=”18204″]
