2023 Château Angelus, "Tempo d'Angelus," Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux - 750ML

91 Points – James Suckling

Created by the team behind Château Angélus, Tempo d’Angélus offers a more immediate expression of the estate’s Right Bank style, sourced from clay-limestone parcels around Castillon-la-Bataille and Sainte-Colombe. In 2023, the wine emphasizes freshness, aromatic lift, and supple texture rather than sheer weight, making it approachable while still carrying the polish associated with Angélus.

Blend: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc.

Tasting Notes: Fragrant red berries, cherry, rose hip, and floral notes lead into hints of spice and darker fruit from the Cabernet Franc. The palate is medium-bodied and linear, with fine-grained tannins, lively freshness, and a juicy, lightly chewy finish that gains harmony with air.

Structure: Medium-bodied, fresh, finely structured, and supple, with polished tannins and an energetic finish.

Drink Window: 2026–2035. James Suckling specifically recommends allowing the wine additional time for its tannins to soften.

Decanting: Decant for approximately 30–45 minutes if opening young. From 2027 onward, a short decant or generous glassware should be sufficient to reveal its fruit and floral character.

For buyers looking for an accessible introduction to the Angélus style, Tempo d’Angélus is especially attractive: polished enough for a dinner table, versatile enough for near-term drinking, and structured enough to reward several years in the cellar. It is a natural choice for roast lamb, duck, beef, or other savory dishes where its red-fruited freshness and fine tannins can shine.