2016 Château Angludet, Cru Bourgeois Margaux
This is so aromatic and polished right from the get go, pull the cork and aromas are flowing before you've even begun to pour. When in the glass the gentlest of swirls releases a plethora of ripe, dark-berry fruit, a hint of dark chocolate, liquorice and spice with a delicate smokey oak character in the background.
The palate is lovely and taut, lots to enjoy here with dark berry coulis, a hint of dark chocolate near savoury character with hazelnut and spice which slowly ebb away to reveal warming, smokey woody tones, and hints of leather.
This is a wonderfully balanced and structured wine, the flavours and aromas are bold, yet restrained by a wonderful palate-coating grip, a real sense of freshness and purity of fruit. Ripe, plump, dark-berry fruit, warming oak and spice re-emerge and hold on the finish for a very long time indeed. Delicious!
A really superb claret, where an excellent vintage and excellent winemaking team have come together to produce something rather special. By all means cellar this for another 5-10 years if you seek the emergence of earthy undertones and deeper leather and wood polish notes, but for me it is a hugely pleasurable glass right now.
13% ABV | Drink Now - 2035
James Russell-Grant | Mr.Wheeler
Critics' View
"Aromas of wet earth, dried leaves and currants follow through to a medium body, fine tannins and a delicious finish. So fine and polished. Subtle. Hard not to drink now. Better after 2021"
92/100pts. James Suckling
"We are in rich powerful territory here, in line with what you hope from a 2016, and shows you don’t have to go to classified estates to find it. Showcasing soft rose petals and peony on the aromatics, with touches of gunsmoke, raspberry, slate and liqourice. A little closed right now, austere even with clear tannic hold but it softens quickly, and is full of enjoyment. An extremely impressive Angludet, one that I would hold on to."
Jane Anson | Inside Bordeaux