Chateau Ausone 2017

Alain Vauthier's flagship estate arguably possesses the greatest terroir in Bordeaux. The steep limestone slopes that lead up to the Chateau are planted with 50 year old vines that regularly produce quite exceptional, ethereal, complex, even intellectual wines. Produced from 45% Merlot and 55% Cabernet Franc, there will be some 23,000 bottles of grand vin 2017. If there were one or two dissenters over the Chapelle, the Ausone got a unanimous thumbs up. This grows in stature, constantly giving and developing new aromas and nuances. Not as wild or as exotic as usual, there are hints of garrigue and crème de mûre, but the fruit profile is more pure and red. Notes of griotte, Morello cherry, raspberry, tayberry and Asian spice emanate from the glass. There is real composure and class here, effortless power and a multidimensional palate that keeps evolving and revealing new flavours. Everything is framed by exceptional tannins laced with haunting fruits, salinity and mouth-watering acidity. It gently ripples with power and authority. Exceptional!

98 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Ausone is a blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot. It sashays out of the glass with gregarious scents of baked red and black plums, wild blueberries and boysenberries plus touches of violets, espresso, licorice and melted chocolate with wafts of iron ore and tilled soil. Medium-bodied, the palate is an exercise in poise, featuring beautifully ripe, silken tannins and bold freshness to support the fragrant multi-layers, finishing very long and very minerally.