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.
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HK$19,310.00 -
Wine Advocate (82)
This medium ruby wine remains closed, but exhibits adequate ripeness of fruit. However, the hard tannins are cause for concern. The 1981 Ausone is a medium-weight wine, with good concentration, but I believe it will always be an austere, tough-textured, charmless wine. It still needs 10 years to soften and develop. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010. Last tasted, 1/90.HK$49,345.00 -
Wine Advocate (82)
This medium ruby wine remains closed, but exhibits adequate ripeness of fruit. However, the hard tannins are cause for concern. The 1981 Ausone is a medium-weight wine, with good concentration, but I believe it will always be an austere, tough-textured, charmless wine. It still needs 10 years to soften and develop. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010. Last tasted, 1/90.HK$4,245.00 -
(1x150cl) 1985
Wine Spectator (92)
A deceptive wine, still not giving much. Pure fruit aromas of raspberry and strawberry; full-bodied with fine tannins. Try after 1997.--The Bordeaux 50. -JSHK$6,760.00 -
(12x75cl) 1988Wine Advocate (80)
The 1988 may need 20 years to reach its peak, as it is probably the most tannic, young Ausone I have ever tasted. The tannins are extremely hard, even astringent, but unlike a number of 1988s where the balance between tannins and fruit favors the tannin (always a troubling sign), here is a case where there is plenty of juicy red and black fruit extract in a medium-bodied, superbly concentrated, very intense and powerful wine. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2040. Last tasted, 4/93.HK$40,960.00 -
HK$3,450.00
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(6x75cl) 1997
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (91-94)
Saturated ruby-violet color. Primary aromas of dark berries, black cherry, chocolate and spicy oak. Densely packed and delineated, with harmonious acidity and a mineral note. Finishes with thoroughly ripe, sweet tannins and uncanny length for the year. An early candidate for wine of the vintage.HK$21,175.00 -
(12x75cl) 1998HK$64,285.00
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(12x75cl) 1999
Wine Advocate (95)
Is the 1999 Ausone the wine of the vintage? Dense purple color, a compelling bouquet of licorice, minerals, black and blueberry liqueur, extraordinary delineation, high tannin, superb extract, and phenomenal richness all are the stuff of a legend. This wine seems impossible to have emerged from a vintage like 1999. Proprietor Alain Vauthier produced only 20,000 bottles because he eliminated one-fourth of the tiny crop. The result is out-and-out fabulous, but the wine needs 12-15 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050.HK$53,385.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
Is the 1999 Ausone the wine of the vintage? Dense purple color, a compelling bouquet of licorice, minerals, black and blueberry liqueur, extraordinary delineation, high tannin, superb extract, and phenomenal richness all are the stuff of a legend. This wine seems impossible to have emerged from a vintage like 1999. Proprietor Alain Vauthier produced only 20,000 bottles because he eliminated one-fourth of the tiny crop. The result is out-and-out fabulous, but the wine needs 12-15 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050.HK$4,530.00 -
Wine Advocate (98+)
Two bottles were badly corked, which is certainly a scary situation for a wine where only 1,000 or so cases were produced. However, a third bottle was magical and just short of perfection. Its saturated purple color was followed by a surprisingly more evolved and open wine than I had written in my tasting note in 2003, where I predicted maturity between 2020 and 2075. This wine displays wonderful, sweet tannin and a big, sweet kiss of truffle, crushed rock, blueberry, blackberry, and licorice. Extremely rich, full-bodied, with astonishing power, precision, and delicacy, this is a sumptuous wine that should age well for 50-60 years, but in the case of the one bottle out of three that was not corked, it seemed far more evolved and forward than I suggested in my write-up in 2003.HK$94,985.00 -
Wine Advocate (98+)
Two bottles were badly corked, which is certainly a scary situation for a wine where only 1,000 or so cases were produced. However, a third bottle was magical and just short of perfection. Its saturated purple color was followed by a surprisingly more evolved and open wine than I had written in my tasting note in 2003, where I predicted maturity between 2020 and 2075. This wine displays wonderful, sweet tannin and a big, sweet kiss of truffle, crushed rock, blueberry, blackberry, and licorice. Extremely rich, full-bodied, with astonishing power, precision, and delicacy, this is a sumptuous wine that should age well for 50-60 years, but in the case of the one bottle out of three that was not corked, it seemed far more evolved and forward than I suggested in my write-up in 2003.HK$51,820.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
In many respects, the 2002 may be even more impressive than the 2003. A far more challenging vintage to get everything right, and especially in St.-Emilion, where many disappointments have been produced, this is one of the wines of the vintage and (along with Pavie) among the finest wines from the Right Bank. It possesses a deep purple color as well as a gorgeous nose of creme de cassis, blackberries, wet stones, and wonderfully perfumed floral notes. When the wine hits the palate, it exhibits impressive purity, medium to full body, a multi-layered texture, and extraordinary precision and intensity with a finish just short of 50 seconds. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2035.HK$25,035.00 -
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.HK$41,650.00 -
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.HK$28,540.00 -
(6x75cl) 2004
Wine & Spirit Magazine (98)
Tasted from barrel in 2005, this was among the best wines of the vintage, with limestone-soil character coming through the fresh brightness of fruit. Ausone was all potential energy then, and it has only improved in the two years since. The wine shares the resonant depths of the ancient limestone caves at Ausone, as the flavors echo through the finish. It starts off from a small place, a sweet confection that brings roasted blueberries to mind, the caramelized oak tasting like the edge of charred fat on extremely fine grilled beef. Over the course of several days, the wine becomes increasingly more subtle and serious in tone, with delicate red fruit, gracious mineral-inflected tannins and detailed flavors that last effortlessly. This Ausone will live for decades.HK$23,410.00 -
The Wine Independent (100)
The 2005 Ausone is a blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot. Deep garnet-brick in color, it needs a lot of swirling to coax out the most evocative perfume of Morello cherries, raspberry preserves, redcurrant jelly, and red roses with hints of aniseed, forest floor, truffles, and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, it has a very firm, grainy texture and an incredibly lively backbone. So, so beautifully perfumed, it finishes incredibly long and mineral-laced. This undoubtedly already offers a WOW experience, but I would give it another 5-7 years in bottle to truly let that perfume emerge, then drink it over the following 40-50-years+. Located on the limestone plateau over the town of Saint Emilion, it covers only 17 acres and has been owned exclusively by the Vauthiers (Alain) since the mid-1990s. It is usually composed of 50-60% Cabernet Franc with Merlot making up the rest of the blend.HK$35,545.00 -
The Wine Independent (100)
The 2005 Ausone is a blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot. Deep garnet-brick in color, it needs a lot of swirling to coax out the most evocative perfume of Morello cherries, raspberry preserves, redcurrant jelly, and red roses with hints of aniseed, forest floor, truffles, and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, it has a very firm, grainy texture and an incredibly lively backbone. So, so beautifully perfumed, it finishes incredibly long and mineral-laced. This undoubtedly already offers a WOW experience, but I would give it another 5-7 years in bottle to truly let that perfume emerge, then drink it over the following 40-50-years+. Located on the limestone plateau over the town of Saint Emilion, it covers only 17 acres and has been owned exclusively by the Vauthiers (Alain) since the mid-1990s. It is usually composed of 50-60% Cabernet Franc with Merlot making up the rest of the blend.HK$57,330.00 -
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (97)
Bright medium ruby. Brooding, pure aromas of blackberry, blueberry, boysenberry, espresso and minerals. Wonderfully dense yet weightless, with a penetrating calcaire energy to its sappy black fruit and mineral flavors. This has filled out impressively since its early days in barrel but is still just at the beginning of its evolution. The slowly mounting, compellingly long finish saturates the palate with flavor, and the substantial tannins are amazingly sweet and fine-grained. My early candidate for wine of the vintage: this fills the mouth with perfume but its fruit of steel suggests that it will last a very long time. I won't be around to drink this beauty at its peak.HK$31,265.00 -
(1x150cl) 2007HK$9,150.00
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HK$27,905.00
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HK$15,315.00
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HK$24,720.00
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Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)
Ausone captures the exuberance and joy of 2009 without ever putting a step over the line - get ready to reach for the superlatives. Still young at 15 years old, but all the finesse and nuance is in place, with huge depths to the berry fruit, plenty of anis and fennel spice, saffron and pumice stone, by turns soft then steely. Hard to think of a better St Emilion 2009, and I would bet on it continuing to deliver huge pleasure over the decades to come. Winemaker/cellar master Philippe Baillarguet, overseen by Pauline Vauthier and father Alain, 100% new oak for ageing.HK$83,515.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)
Ausone captures the exuberance and joy of 2009 without ever putting a step over the line - get ready to reach for the superlatives. Still young at 15 years old, but all the finesse and nuance is in place, with huge depths to the berry fruit, plenty of anis and fennel spice, saffron and pumice stone, by turns soft then steely. Hard to think of a better St Emilion 2009, and I would bet on it continuing to deliver huge pleasure over the decades to come. Winemaker/cellar master Philippe Baillarguet, overseen by Pauline Vauthier and father Alain, 100% new oak for ageing.HK$21,165.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)
Ausone captures the exuberance and joy of 2009 without ever putting a step over the line - get ready to reach for the superlatives. Still young at 15 years old, but all the finesse and nuance is in place, with huge depths to the berry fruit, plenty of anis and fennel spice, saffron and pumice stone, by turns soft then steely. Hard to think of a better St Emilion 2009, and I would bet on it continuing to deliver huge pleasure over the decades to come. Winemaker/cellar master Philippe Baillarguet, overseen by Pauline Vauthier and father Alain, 100% new oak for ageing.HK$41,760.00 -
Falstaff (100)
Dark ruby with purple reflections and a delicate watery rim. A multi-faceted bouquet of wild berry confit underlaid with delicate smoky-spice, savory notes of fine oak and subtle nougat with a dark minerality. The complex palate is full-bodied with a fruity texture, firm, well-integrated tannins, fine acidity, salinity and delicate chocolate and ripe black cherry notes on a finish which has excellent length. This is at the beginning of a glorious career. But at the moment, this wine gives only a vague hint of what it will show in ten years and more, patience is absolutely required here. (Store/Drink +50).HK$20,710.00 -
Falstaff (100)
Dark ruby with purple reflections and a delicate watery rim. A multi-faceted bouquet of wild berry confit underlaid with delicate smoky-spice, savory notes of fine oak and subtle nougat with a dark minerality. The complex palate is full-bodied with a fruity texture, firm, well-integrated tannins, fine acidity, salinity and delicate chocolate and ripe black cherry notes on a finish which has excellent length. This is at the beginning of a glorious career. But at the moment, this wine gives only a vague hint of what it will show in ten years and more, patience is absolutely required here. (Store/Drink +50).HK$36,875.00 -
(12x75cl) 2011
Wine Advocate (95+)
Its bigger sibling, the 2011 Ausone increases the level of intensity, elegance, complexity, richness and length. Nearly a mirror image of the La Chapelle, just with more going on, the Ausone boasts a more saturated purple color, and the wine has everything in large, intense proportions. The finesse and delicacy of all its components are what make it such a remarkable wine. The quality of the tannins and purity of the fruit make this another legendary effort that should age for 30-40 years.HK$40,965.00 -
Wine Advocate (95+)
Its bigger sibling, the 2011 Ausone increases the level of intensity, elegance, complexity, richness and length. Nearly a mirror image of the La Chapelle, just with more going on, the Ausone boasts a more saturated purple color, and the wine has everything in large, intense proportions. The finesse and delicacy of all its components are what make it such a remarkable wine. The quality of the tannins and purity of the fruit make this another legendary effort that should age for 30-40 years.HK$27,360.00
