CHAPELLE D'AUSONE 2nd wine of Ch. Ausone, Saint-Emilion 2021 Bottle

Description

Château Ausone, named after the Roman poet, is a prestigious estate in Saint Émilion, renowned for its remarkable terroir. With just 7.3 hectares, its vineyards thrive on a south-east facing slope, blending 75% Cabernet Franc and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2021 vintage, receiving up to 95 points from James Suckling, showcases a captivating profile of cool blue fruits, violets, and chocolate orange, wrapped in supple, silky tannins. The Wine Advocate describes it as medium to full-bodied with lively acidity, while Vinous highlights its precision and seductive expressiveness. With a long, mineral-driven finish, this wine promises a graceful evolution, making it a superb choice for collectors, with optimal drinking between 2025 and 2035.

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Chateau Ausone is named after the Roman poet Ausonius who owned over 100 acres of vineyard around Saint Emilion. It is perched on the hillside in the southern outskirts of the village of Saint Emilion.

Ausone has only 7.3 hectares of vines and its vineyards (Merlot 50%, Cabernet Franc 50%) flourish on a steep, south-east facing slope, protecting them from cold north winds and westerly rain. Those vines at the top of the slope thrive on limestone (the `St.Emilion plateau') whilst those further down benefit from a clay/loam topsoil (the 'Côtes').

Ausone struggled during the 1950s and 1960s, but with the hiring of new régisseur Pascal Delbeck in 1976, the estate returned to producing wines worthy of its outstanding historic reputation. Recently Ausone has been at the very peak of its form and with the ubiquitous Michel Rolland now acting as consultant, it is now producing ultra-rich, lush, exotically fruity wines that require a minimum 10 years of bottle ageing.

JAMES SUCKLING 94-95 points
Lots of cool blue fruit and violets with some stones and chocolate orange. Supple, silky and very sleek tannins. Medium to full body. Lengthy and fresh on the finish. 75% cabernet franc and 25% cabernet sauvignon.

JANCIS ROBINSON 16++ points
Lifted and floral on the nose, long and linear on the palate, the tannins present but fine. Long, saline finish. Will be interesting to see how this evolves. (JL)

THE WINE ADVOCATE (91 - 93) points
Inviting aromas of berries and plums mingled with vine smoke, spices and loamy soil introduce the 2021 Chapelle d'Ausone, a medium to full-bodied, melting and precise wine that's pretty and seamless, with lively acids and a long, penetrating finish. As usual, it's a blend of wine from young vines with a few barriques of declassified Ausone. - William Kelley 04/22

VINOUS 92 points
The 2021 Chapelle d’Ausone is a wine of total precision and class. Bright acids drive through a core of sweet red cherry, red plum, blood orange, chalk and mint. This is a seductive, super-expressive Saint-Émilion. There are no hard edges or angular contours here. Readers will find a wine of pure sophistication. It should drink beautifully for the next 10-15 years, maybe more. - Antonio Galloni

DECANTER 92 points
Soft perfume, green pepper, wild herbs, creamy black fruits, smoked cedar and dark chocolate - the Cabernet really shining through on the nose. Round and juicy on the palate, bright with lots of energy - almost-sour cherries, blueberries and freshly squeezed strawberry, a joyful burst of summer berry fruits. Subtle and soft in terms of texture with fine and smooth tannins, it's not at all showy, more calm and quiet with a burst of red fruit, then the minerality and soft saltiness comes through. I like the different components, all individually very precise and brought together. A good effort for the vintage. No Merlot for the first time, this is a blend of 75% Cabernet Franc and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drinking Window 2025 - 2035 - Tasted by Georgina Hindle(at Bordeaux, 01 Apr 2022)