"A really classic Ausone, reminiscent of the great ones of the 1980s...97-98 points." JamesSuckling.com
Released today for sale en primeur, 2024 Château Ausone scores 97-98 points from JamesSuckling.com and is offered for sale at £1,842 per six bottles, a 30% reduction on last year's opening price.
This is the third vintage to come to the market since the château withdrew from the St-Emilion classification system. Previously one of just four Premier Grand Cru Classé (A) estates, this small 7-hectare property is one of the oldest in Bordeaux (see our notes about its Roman connections, below).
Jeb Dunnuck describes the '24 as a "classy, perfumed, sensationally elegant Ausone", whilst Lisa Perotti-Brown simply calls it "stunning".
Please let us know if you would like to add this wine to your cellar.
Offered en primeur, landing spring 2027.
Magnums available with £20 ex-VAT bottling surcharge, please enquire re other formats.
Producer Profile
Château Ausone
Château Ausone is named after the 4th Century Gallo-Roman poet Ausonius, who was born in Bordeaux and owned 100 acres of vines around St-Emilion. The remains of a Roman Villa lie on the estate and it is speculated that this could have been Ausonius'. The estate has been owned by the Vauthier family since the 1920s. Michel Rolland is employed as consultant. The wines are famously rich and powerful in style. The vineyard is just 7.3 hectares in size. The château sits on the steep side of the limestone plateau. Beneath it are miles of quarries, dug in the sixteenth century. A medieval chapel sits next to the château and gives the second wine its name, Chapelle d'Ausone.
| RED | 2024 | Château Ausone | 75cl | £1,842 per case of 6 | Château Ausone 2024 / / 75cl £1,842 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"65% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot. Cask sample. Fragrant and floral with a stony terroir note behind. Lovely purity of fruit on the palate with fine, elegant tannins. Very long finish. Really quite refined. 2032-2050. 17+ points." (JL) Jancisrobinson.com------"Aromas of dark berries, toasty oak and rich espresso roast mingle with hints of petals and spices, introducing the 2024 Ausone, a medium to full-bodied, lively and sapid wine that's a blend of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot. The tannins are nicely ripe, with some structuring oak tannin already lending a supporting presence on the finish. 91-93 points" William Kelley, RobertParker.com------"The 2024 Ausone was picked between September 30 and October 5. It aged for 20 months in new French oak from 5 cooperages with malo in barrel as usual. There is slightly less Merlot in the blend due to mildew and coulure during the season. It has a very pure nose with black cherry, wild strawberry and a touch of cracked black pepper in the background. It just misses some of the profound complexity that a top Ausone can deliver. The palate is lovely, though, one of the most velvety 2024s that I tasted out of barrel. This is very harmonious with a focused and sustained finish. Whilst it doesn't quite have the horsepower or sheer ambition of a top-drawer Ausone, this is a success for the vintage simply because it is endowed with greater substance and persistence. There's presence here. 2029 - 2055. 93-95 points" Neal Martin, Vinous.com------"The 2024 Ausone is pure sensuality. Intensely perfumed, plant and silky on the palate, Ausone is haunting in its beauty. All the elements are so well balanced. Black cherry, lavender, mocha, espresso, and exotic spice overtones all take shape in the glass. A wine of understated depth, the 2024 is impressive. Even in the early going, the 100% new oak is not at all evident, suggesting a wine with superior balance. The blend is 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot. 2034-2054. 93-96 points." Antonio Galloni, Vinous------"Deep ruby in colour, this delivers texture and flavoursome sappy fruits, clear winemaking skill that maintains estate signature. You feel the tightrope walk of minerality and fruit, and as in 2021 Ausone is at the very top of what was possible in the vintage. Cassis bud, peony, violet, cloves, jasmine flowers, chamomile, subtle complexity and layers that expand and build through the palate. The successful construction of this wine highlights what was so challeging to fully achieve with so many others in the vintage. Harvest 30 September 5 October, Philippe Baillarguet cellar master. 100% new oak. 96 points" janeanson.com------"A classic blend of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot resting in new barrels, the 2024 Château Ausone sports a vivid ruby hue to go with a gorgeous perfume of black raspberries, subtle cassis, graphite, sappy flowers, and lead pencil. It's gorgeous on the palate, with medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, focused, remarkably elegant mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and perfectly integrated oak. This classy, perfumed, sensationally elegant Ausone will drink nicely with just a few years of bottle age. 94-97 points." Jeb Dunnuck------"Deep garnet-purple colored. Soars out of the glass with fragrant notes of black cherries, black raspberries, violets, and sassafras, with touches of forest floor and fragrant soils. The medium-bodied palate is wonderfully silky with seamless freshness supporting the delicate red berry and floral layers, finishing long and perfumed. Stunning. 95-97 points" Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Independent------"A really classic Ausone, reminiscent of the great ones of the 1980s. Medium-bodied, it has such clarity and brightness and length. Purity and precision with drive and focus from superb viticulture and winemaking. A blend of 65% cabernet franc and 35% merlot. 97-98 points." JamesSuckling.com |
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