{"product_id":"2009-chateau-ausone-chapelle-dausone","title":"2009 Château Ausone Chapelle d'Ausone","description":"\u003cp\u003e2009 Chapelle d'Ausone is the highly sought-after second wine of the legendary Château Ausone, crafted from the same steep limestone terraces that produce one of Saint-Émilion’s rarest grands vins. In this superb vintage, it offers a more approachable, earlier-drinking expression of the estate’s singular terroir, without sacrificing depth or pedigree. Named for the ancient chapel on the property and rooted in a history that stretches back to Roman times and the poet Ausonius himself, this wine stands as one of Bordeaux’s benchmark “second” labels.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2009 Chapelle d'Ausone shows a deep, dense purple-ruby core with youthful intensity still very much intact, even more than a decade on. The colour hints at both concentration and impressive freshness for its age.\n\nThe nose opens with a lifted aromatic profile of incense, crushed stone, and pencil shavings, layered over ripe blue and black fruits—blueberries, blackberries, and a touch of black cherry. Subtle floral notes (violet and dried rose), along with hints of smoke, licorice, and fine cedar from its élevage in French oak, add refinement and complexity.\n\nOn the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with a velvety yet structured mouthfeel that speaks to its high proportion of Cabernet Franc married to Merlot’s plush fruit. Ripe dark berry flavours are framed by savoury mineral tones and a precise, almost chiselled acidity coming from the limestone soils. Tannins are fine-grained and silky but still present, giving the wine a long, pure and elegant finish marked by spice, graphite and lingering floral notes. While fully enjoyable now, particularly from this late-release bottling, it still has the energy and structure to evolve gracefully for another decade or more, offering a drinking window of 20+ years from the vintage in top cellaring conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChapelle d’Ausone is produced from Château Ausone’s remarkable 7-hectare vineyard on the south-east facing limestone plateau and slopes of Saint-Émilion, one of the most coveted terroirs on the Right Bank. The thin topsoil over solid limestone, excellent drainage and optimal exposure combine to give naturally low yields and grapes of exceptional concentration and aromatic precision. Merlot and Cabernet Franc—often with a notably high share of Cabernet Franc in the blend—are hand-harvested in small parcels, with rigorous selection of only the finest clusters. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel and concrete vats to preserve purity of fruit and terroir expression. After vinification, the wine is aged 18–24 months in French oak barrels, a significant proportion of which are new, adding subtle structure, spice and complexity without overshadowing the vineyard’s innate minerality. Production is inherently limited, both by the small size of the estate and the strict selection that reserves only certain lots for Chapelle d’Ausone.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e2009 Chapelle d’Ausone is a classic partner for refined cuisine, particularly dishes that echo its depth and finesse. It pairs beautifully with roast lamb, dry-aged ribeye, duck breast with a red wine reduction, or veal with morel mushrooms. It also shines alongside earthy dishes such as truffle risotto, wild mushroom fricassée, or roast root vegetables with herbs, and can complement well-aged hard cheeses like Comté or aged Gouda. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for optimal balance and aromatic expression. Given its structure and age, decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended to allow the wine to unfold fully, soften the tannins, and reveal the full spectrum of its floral, mineral and dark-fruited nuances.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChâteau Ausone is one of Bordeaux’s most storied and prestigious estates, classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé A in Saint-Émilion and with roots stretching back to the Roman era. The property is named after the poet and statesman Ausonius, who is believed to have owned a villa and vines on the same slopes in the 4th century AD, laying the foundations for a viticultural tradition that has continued through the Middle Ages to the present day. Today, Château Ausone is renowned for its tiny vineyard, dramatic limestone terraces and unwavering commitment to meticulous, low-yield winemaking. Its wines—both the grand vin and Chapelle d’Ausone—are considered among the most refined and age-worthy of the Right Bank, regularly earning critical acclaim and occupying a revered position in the global fine wine landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Château Ausone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54251842109777,"sku":"GCW-MMUI-2009123422","price":345.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/a9b5abf8-6d1f-41d6-b6f1-198021abb9fd.png?v=1783441771","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/2009-chateau-ausone-chapelle-dausone","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}