Tasting Notes & Ratings
Grape
60% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot
Tasting notes
In the glass, this garnet-hued marvel opens with a captivating bouquet of redcurrant and blackberry, delicately laced with tobacco leaf and a trace of wet stone—a subtle nod to the mercurial weather that shaped its vintage.
On the palate, it reveals a layered and precise tannin structure, beautifully balanced by vibrant acidity. The wine speaks softly yet confidently of its origin, each sip echoing the limestone and clay of its terroir. Crafted from a refined blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it harmonizes plush fruit and savory spice, delivering an expression that is both elegant and terroir-driven.
Expert ratings
Wine Enthusiast 98 Points
More About The Winery
Named after the Roman poet Ausonius, who once owned vineyards around Saint-Émilion, Château Ausone is one of Bordeaux’s most iconic estates. Perched dramatically on the limestone slopes just outside the village, Ausone’s 7.3 hectares of vines benefit from a steep, south-east exposure that shelters them from harsh winds and rain.
The vineyard is evenly planted to 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc, with vines at the top rooted in the limestone plateau, while those lower down thrive in clay and loam soils. This unique terroir yields wines of extraordinary depth, minerality, and ageing potential.
After struggling in the mid-20th century, Ausone reclaimed its legendary status from the late 1970s under Pascal Delbeck and, more recently, with Michel Rolland as consultant. Today, Château Ausone produces ultra-rich, powerful, and exotically perfumed wines, considered among the very best of Bordeaux. Revered for their longevity, these wines demand at least 10 years of cellaring and reward patience with unrivalled complexity and finesse.