Ausone
About Château Ausone
Château Ausone vies with Cheval-Blanc to be Saint-Émilion’s most prestigious estate. Named after the Roman poet Ausonius who once resided in this area, Ausone is one of four Premier Grand Cru Classé (A) wines in the classification of Saint-Émilion (along with Angélus, Cheval Blanc and Pavie).
Quite possibly the oldest winemaking estate in the entire region, the vines of Château Ausone occupy the same site as a villa owned by the Roman poet and proconsul Ausonius nearly 2000 years ago. The connection to the current name is clear to see, but the Vauthier family have owned these hallowed vineyards for several centuries into the 12th generation with Pauline.
Viniculture
Ausone stands tall over the town of St-Émilion itself, with a mere seven hectares of entirely classified vines – making it the single smallest First Growth in any appellation, on any Bank. Clinging precariously to steep, ancient slopes comprised of clay and limestone with particularly shallow soil cover, it has been said that Ausone is one of few properties in the region where one can simply tell from the sight of its terroir that the wine is exceptional. There are Cabernet Franc vines that are more than 100 years of age (planted 1906).
Striking chunks of limestone are immediately obvious, and it comes as no surprise to learn that such is the extent of said geological influence that there are deep quarries running beneath the vines. Actively worked between the 13th and 19th centuries, the dormant mines are now used by the Vauthiers to store oak barrels at a temperature of 12 degrees and a steady year-round humidity of 97% – in fact so effective are these limestone cellars that a dehumidifier had to be installed!
Aside from producing some of the greatest, rarest wine on Earth, Ausone’s terroir is exceptional for its consistency. Vintage after vintage, both the Grand Vin and the second wine excel whilst others stumble – the latter representing a minuscule 10% of the total production of an already dramatically small amount.
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Bordeaux | 1 | - | HK$32,735.00 | |||||
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Bordeaux | 1 | 91 (VN (NM)) | HK$34,950.00 | |||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (91)The 1992 Ausone is an off-vintage that I had never tasted before. It was actually better than expected. The nose is agreeable with only a slight greenness underneath those tobacco tinged black fruit, a touch of bacon fat emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with coarse tannin, rather ferrous and smudged, earthy with a short finish. It has its shortcomings although it does improve in the glass, gaining more cohesion and vigour, so don’t write it off. Tasted at the Ausone vertical in London. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 98.0 | HK$67,785.00 | |||||
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Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (WA) | HK$92,975.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (100)Amazing! The limestone soils of Ausone appear to have been the perfect foil for resisting the extreme heat and drought of June, July and August, 2003. This black/purple-colored effort boasts a glorious nose of violets, truffles, lead pencil shavings, blueberry and blackberry liqueur. Full-bodied with staggering concentration, a voluptuous texture, low acidity and well-integrated, melted tannins, this deep, multidimensional, profound Bordeaux is beginning to drink exceptionally well. It should continue to do so for another two decades or more. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 95-96 (JS) | HK$21,070.00 | |||||
James Suckling (95-96)This is really intense and powerful with fantastic energy and character. So much dark berry and walnut character. Full and chewy. Yet polished. Second wine of Ausone. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (VN (NM)) | HK$21,070.00 | |||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (95)The 2016 Chapelle d’Ausone offers intense black cherries, raspberry coulis and marmalade aromas on the nose, manifesting more delineation in the glass over the course of 10–15 minutes. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, very pure black fruit and tangible mineralité and tension on the finish. This is pure class, a wine of nobility and deliciousness. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. |