Château Ausone 2022

Château Ausone is not a wine casually served. Its "minuscule production", once observed Robert Parker Jr., "makes it nearly impossible to find commercially."  Even the professionals in the wine trade don't get to taste it often.  Bordeaux-domiciled independent wine critic Jane Anson (formerly columnist for Decanter magazine) commented how most critics are limited to tasting it at en primeur barrel sampling, and won't see it again for 10 or 20 years, if ever.

The property derives its name, Château Ausone, from the legendary Roman poet Ausonius who is said to have lived in a villa on its steeply sloped limestone hills.  Ausonius referenced Bordeaux in one of his many poems, writing: “Bordeaux is my homeland, with its gentle breeze, its merciful sky, the generous gifts of its fertile soil, its long Spring and its warming morning mists. The mighty tidal river, below the vine-bedecked slopes, foams and boils as it surges towards the sea like a wave.” Whether he lived at the actual property remains in question. Regardless, visitors can find Roman ruins in the vineyards and records of Ausonius living in Bordeaux throughout history.  

Like any great wine, the story behind Château Ausone is a story of a family who is committed to the land they were blessed with.  It is a story of efforts made through many generations.  The modern era of Ausone started with the marriage of Edouard Dubois and Mlle Challon in 1891.  After Edouard's premature death in 1921, the property was managed by his widow and two children - Jean and Cécile.  Jean died in 1974, leaving his half to his widow, Mme Dubois-Challon.  The other half belongs to Cécile who married M Vauthier.  The two branches of the family were cordial.  But there were stories of internal bickering and constant friction due to differences in the philosophy of winemaking.  Some say the wine of this esteemed producer from the 1960s and 1970s was mediocre.  Maybe it had something to do with the disagreements over methods and practices.  Finally, in the mid 1990s, the Vauthier family bought out Mme Dubois-Challon, a new era of Château Ausone was born.

The current head of the Vauthier family, Pauline, started working in the vineyards at the age of 18.  Since she took over winemaking in 2005, Ausone has gone from one great vintage to another.  Although not officially certified, organic farming is practiced in the vineyard.  Due to the limestone soils of Ausone, the wine has incredible minerality, purity of fruit, and concentration.  They are rich and full-bodied without being heavy.  A bottle of Château Ausone demands time in the cellar – typically 15 to 20 years.  Even during an average vintage in Bordeaux, Ausone shines.  In truly remarkable vintages, Ausone takes off like a rocket ship.  We have only one issue with this great estate: each year's allocation is simply too small to meet the demand from clients.  Consider adding your name to our waitlist.

"Intense and concentrated, with fennel, aniseed and liqourice root. Where Chapelle d'Ausone celebrates a wave of opulence in the vintage, this focuses more clearly on black tea, slate, intense black chocolate. Precise and well cut, this is creamy and exuberant without sacrificing elegance and balance. Amazing depths of flavour and grip. A true En Primeur sample where you know you are a long long way from this being ready to drink. The first year, incidentally, of not Premier Grand Cru Classé A, although the ranking has not been featured on the label since 2012. No irrigation at Ausone. 100% new oak. Harvest September 5 to 27. 7.25ha. Conversion to organic farming since 2020, Philippe Baillarguet cellar master, Pauline Vauthier owner and winemaker. Potential 100." Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux, (04/24/2023) Ratings: (98-100) Drink: 2032-2050 

"The Grand Vin from this hallowed terroir is an even split of Cabernet Franc and Merlot that was fermented in wooden vats and will spend 20 months in new barrels. Its saturated purple hue is followed by an up-front, sexy, full-bodied Ausone offering a wealth of fruit as well as notes of black cherries, blueberries, chocolate, scorched earth, and an incredible sense of spring flowers. Concentrated and incredibly pure, with silky tannins on the palate, it has the texture and fruit to almost shine even now but should still evolve for 30 years or more." - Jeb Dunnuck (5/10/2023) Ratings: 96-98

"A blend of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Ausone unwinds in the glass with aromas of plums, raspberries and cherries complemented by hints of crushed mint and spices, framed by a lavish patina of creamy new oak. Full-bodied, layered and rather muscular, it's deep and concentrated, its vibrant core of fruit framed by a serious chassis of rich, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, saline finish. Given its imposing levels of structuring extract, it will require patience." - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (4/28/23) Rating: 94-96