Château Ausone 2023

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.

"The 2023 Ausone reveals an incipient bouquet of violet, smoke, dark wild berries, spices and cherries, all beautifully interwoven with creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with a rich chassis of tannin, it has a vibrant core of fruit and a long, mineral, vanillin-inflected finish. At 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot, this ranks alongside the 2014 vintage as one of the most Cabernet-dominant Ausone vintages of recent years, and it will mature for 20 months in new oak barrels." - Yohan Castaing, The Wine Advocate, (04/26/2024), Ratings: 95-97, Drink: 2025-2055

"Density and well-cushioned fruit, another stunning vintage of a wine that somehow manages to make an effortless impression, edges of cloves and grilled sandalwood, full of nuance and capturing the aromatics depths and heights of the vintage, gorgeous. 100% new oak. Philippe Baillarguet cellar master, Vauthier family owners, organic certified in the vineyard." - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux, (04/19/2024), Ratings: 97, Drink: 2032-2050

"The 2023 Ausone is a powerful, heady wine. Dark, layered and explosive, the 2023 possesses tremendous depth and tons of sheer resonance, something that becomes increasingly apparent with time in the glass. Strong saline notes frame a core of dark-toned fruit, mocha, spice, new leather, pencil shavings and lavender. The savory, mineral-drenched finish is eternal. All the 2023 needs is time. Readers lucky enough to own it should be thrilled." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, (04/30/2024), Ratings: 96-98