93 Wine Advocate – "The 2016 Le Carillon d’Angélus is blended of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, aged 16 months in 50% new French oak. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it strides confidently out of the glass with pure, polished black cherries, fresh blackberries and black raspberry scents with nuances of unsmoked cigars, hoisin, black truffles and wet stones plus a waft of pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has great elegance and sophistication, with the lively red and black fruit flavors adeptly structured with soft, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a lingering earthy note."

In short I couldn’t agree more! I was fortunate enough to have a quick mid-day tasting of several vintages of one of my all-time favorite Bordeaux Château Angelus. We began with the 2016 Carillon, then on to 2014, 2015 and 2012 Château Angelus. Needless to say the wines were stunning, but then they should be at anywhere from $350 to $550 per bottle for the Grand Vins. But the standout of the day, as second wines typically are, was the 2016 Carillon. As Antonio Galloni wrote, this is a fabulous wine from Angelus. It is also an incredible value at about one third of the price – plus it is drinking exceptionally well and will do so for a decade at least!

If you have known me for a while you know I am a value guy (I am a cheap Scot at heart), and I am happier finding the real value as much as chasing the top tier wines, and second wines offer that in spades.

“Deep and dark in color, lovely saturated nose of blackberry puree, dark and red cherry, earth, a hint of oak, followed on the palate by silk, supple yet layered dark fruit, moderate tannins, warm, long and lingering in the finish. Classy and elegant yet with a deep core od beautiful dark fruit. Drink now and for a decade at least.” Chris Cree, MW

Made by the same team as the Grand Vin, but with a slightly different cepage and winemaking, particularly the percentage of new oak and time in barrel. As a result it captures much of the class and character of Château Angelus, but at a fraction of the price – and with a much more approachable drinking window.