2017 Château Ausone

2017 Château Ausone is one of the crown jewels of Saint-Émilion, a grand vin that combines rare finesse with remarkable depth and aging potential. Produced in tiny quantities from steep, limestone terraces, this wine offers an exceptionally pure expression of Cabernet Franc and Merlot at the very highest level. With roots reaching back to Roman times, Ausone unites centuries of history with meticulous, modern craftsmanship in every bottle.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2017 Château Ausone shows a deep garnet-purple core with vivid, youthful highlights clinging to the rim. The color hints at both concentration and freshness, promising a wine of structure and elegance rather than sheer power. The nose is refined yet intense, opening with ripe plum and wild blueberry layered over notes of violets, licorice, espresso, and dark, molten chocolate. As it unfurls, you can expect more subtle nuances of crushed stone, pencil shavings, and a delicate floral lift that speaks clearly of its limestone terroir and high proportion of Cabernet Franc. On the palate, this is medium-bodied but extraordinarily focused, gliding across the tongue with silken, ripe tannins that feel almost weightless. Dark berry and blue fruit flavors are framed by a vibrant, mouthwatering freshness, building into a long, refined, and distinctly mineral finish that hums with energy. Despite its approachability in youth thanks to its polished texture, the wine has the structure and balance to age beautifully for 15–25 years or more, gaining further complexity and tertiary nuances with time in the cellar.

Production
Château Ausone’s vineyards sit on the prized limestone plateau and steep south-facing slopes of Saint-Émilion, a terroir famed for yielding wines of striking finesse, minerality, and longevity. The soils are dominated by pure limestone with thin clay topsoils, offering excellent drainage, natural acidity, and low yields, which intensify flavor and structure. The 2017 blend is composed of approximately 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot, reflecting Ausone’s signature emphasis on Cabernet Franc for aromatic lift and tension. All grapes are harvested by hand in small crates, parcel by parcel, to ensure optimal ripeness and meticulous selection at the sorting tables. Vinification combines traditional savoir-faire with modern precision: fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled vats, with careful extraction to preserve fruit purity and fine tannins. The wine is then matured in predominantly new French oak barrels, typically for around 18–20 months, allowing it to gain complexity, spice, and textural polish without overwhelming its distinctive limestone-driven character.

Food & Serving
The 2017 Château Ausone is a natural partner for refined, flavorful dishes that highlight its elegance and structure. Think classic roast lamb with rosemary and garlic, dry-aged ribeye, venison or pigeon with truffle accents, or slow-braised beef cheeks. It also pairs beautifully with earthy components like morel mushrooms, celeriac purée, and dishes featuring black truffle, as well as aged hard cheeses such as Comté or British cheddar. Serve at 16–18°C (about 60–65°F) to showcase its aromatic complexity and fine-boned structure. For current drinking, decanting for 2–3 hours is recommended to allow the wine to open fully; younger bottles may benefit from even longer aeration, while well-cellared older bottles should be decanted gently just before serving to preserve their delicate bouquet.

Producer
Château Ausone is one of the most storied and revered estates in Bordeaux, with a history that stretches back to Roman times. The property takes its name from the Roman poet and statesman Ausonius, who is believed to have owned vineyards here in the 4th century AD, establishing a legacy that has shaped Saint-Émilion’s identity as a great wine terroir. Over the centuries, the estate evolved through the Middle Ages into a benchmark of fine winemaking, ultimately earning the rare and exalted status of Premier Grand Cru Classé A in the Saint-Émilion classification. Today, Château Ausone is renowned worldwide for producing some of the most age-worthy and sought-after wines in Bordeaux, crafted from a tiny, meticulously farmed vineyard. Alongside its iconic Grand Vin, the estate also produces the second wine, Chapelle d’Ausone, which offers a more accessible expression of the property’s unique limestone-driven style while maintaining the same unwavering commitment to quality.

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