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返回 Château Ausone - St-Émilion’s confidential address

於 2022年1月13日刊登

©Florian Rossignol, 13th January, 2022

When was the last time you opened a bottle of Château Ausone? I can’t remember drinking one this year. Not the first option that comes to your mind if you think about drinking a Bordeaux wine, although it’s always a delicious one. 

Tiny estate, in fact it is the smallest one among all Bordeaux First Growths, with only 7 hectares classified as Grand Cru Classé A. Ausone stands tall over the village of Saint-Emilion, it is a fantastic place to visit. Their vineyards surround the chateau, 55% planted in Cabernet Franc, and the rest mostly Merlot. Everything is done by hand, not an easy task with the steep slope.

Ausone was named after Decimus Magnus Ausonius (who was made First Consul of Rome in 379), after remains of an ancient Roman villa have been found on the proprietary in the 17th century, it appeared to own that exact villa.

The wine made at this address has a tremendous consistency, vintage in, vintage out. One of the few last famous Bordeaux estates to be owned by a family: the Vauthier family. They are extracting the best of the limestone terroir. Pauline Vauthier, Alain Vauthier’s daughter has been winemaker since 2005 at the estate, she has a very hands-on approach. Vineyards have been farmed organically since her arrival. 

Time is required to enjoy those lovely wines. The 80 to 100% new oak don’t take away the balance, voluptuousness and minerality of their elixir. 15 to 20 years ageing will bring the best out of any vintage. Vintage 2000 and 2003 received 100 points from Wine Advocate. Only a handful estate has obtained that perfect rating on 2003 vintage (only Château Latour and Lafite are part of that trio). The limetone soils helped protect vines from the extrem heat and drought of the vintage. 2003 are drinking exceptionnaly well.

Vintage 2000 is mature, in the perfect drinking window! Robert Parker wrote the following tasting note on Wine Advocate: “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” 

Around 1,000 to 1,500 cases are produced per vintage. Open a bottle of Ausone during those festive time, it won’t let you down. We have some larger formats too; those are extremely rare!