2018 Château Ausone

The 2018 Château Ausone is a breathtaking expression of Saint-Émilion’s fabled limestone plateau and one of the most coveted wines in all of Bordeaux. Crafted primarily from Cabernet Franc with Merlot in support, it combines depth, elegance and incredible precision in a vintage that has been widely hailed by critics. With a perfect 100-point score from Robert Parker, this Grand Vin stands as both a collector’s treasure and a benchmark for Right Bank Bordeaux. What sets Château Ausone apart is the rare combination of a tiny, steep, limestone terroir, a high proportion of old-vine Cabernet Franc, and meticulous, small-scale production. The estate’s history stretches back to Roman times, taking its name from the poet and statesman Ausonius, who owned property here in the 4th century AD. Over the centuries, the site has evolved into one of Bordeaux’s most revered vineyards, today holding the elite status of Premier Grand Cru Classé A in Saint-Émilion.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Château Ausone shows a deep, saturated garnet-purple hue, almost opaque at the core, with a vivid, youthful rim that hints at its long life ahead. Swirling the wine immediately reveals its concentration and density, clinging elegantly to the sides of the glass. The nose is intensely expressive yet impeccably refined, opening with ripe black plum, blueberry and black cherry, layered with notes of violet, licorice and roasted coffee bean. Subtle hints of melted dark chocolate, graphite, damp earth and warm stones add depth, speaking clearly of its limestone origin. On the palate, this is medium to full-bodied but never heavy, defined by a remarkable balance between richness and tension. Silky, ultra-fine tannins frame generous layers of black and blue fruits, while floral, spicy and mineral tones weave through the mid-palate. The limestone core brings vibrant freshness and a distinct, almost chalky minerality, which lifts the wine and delivers an exceptionally long, precise finish. Still very young, the 2018 Ausone has enormous aging potential. It will gain complexity and nuance over decades, with a prime drinking window likely starting from around 10–12 years after the vintage and extending for 30 years or more under proper cellaring.

Production
Château Ausone’s vineyards lie on the steep, south-facing limestone slopes and plateau of Saint-Émilion, one of the most prized terroirs in Bordeaux. The thin topsoil over solid limestone, combined with excellent drainage and optimal sun exposure, yields grapes of great concentration, aromatic lift and natural freshness. The estate’s holdings are small, and are planted predominantly to Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with a notably high proportion of Cabernet Franc contributing to the wine’s distinctive floral and mineral character. The grapes are meticulously tended throughout the growing season and harvested entirely by hand, parcel by parcel, at optimal ripeness. In the cellar, Ausone employs a thoughtful blend of traditional and modern techniques: careful sorting, gentle extraction and precise temperature control to preserve purity and finesse. The Grand Vin is then aged in a high proportion of new French oak barrels, where it gains complexity, polish and structure, while allowing the limestone-driven character of the fruit to remain front and center. Production is deliberately limited, reinforcing the wine’s rarity and collectible status.

Food & Serving
The 2018 Château Ausone calls for refined, thoughtfully prepared dishes that can match its depth and elegance without overwhelming its nuance. Ideal pairings include classic roast lamb with herbs, tournedos of beef with truffle jus, veal tenderloin, or slow-braised dishes such as beef cheek or veal shank. Game birds like pigeon or duck, as well as dishes with wild mushrooms or black truffle, will highlight the wine’s earthy and mineral subtleties, while aged hard cheeses (Comté, aged Gouda) can make for a luxurious end to the meal. Serve at 16–18°C (about 60–64°F) to showcase both aromatic complexity and structural precision. In its youth, decanting for 2–3 hours is recommended to allow the wine to fully open and soften. As the wine matures, a shorter decant of around 1 hour, mainly to remove any sediment and gently aerate, will be sufficient.

Producer
Château Ausone is one of Bordeaux’s most storied and prestigious estates, with roots that reach back to the Roman era. Named after the Roman poet and statesman Ausonius, whose presence here in the 4th century laid the foundation for centuries of viticulture, the château has long been synonymous with the finest expressions of Saint-Émilion. Over the Middle Ages and beyond, successive owners refined both the vineyards and the winemaking, helping to elevate Bordeaux into the world-class wine region it is today. In the modern era, Château Ausone has become a reference point for Right Bank Bordeaux, renowned for its tiny production, exceptional terroir and unwavering commitment to quality. As a Premier Grand Cru Classé A estate in Saint-Émilion, Ausone sits at the very top of the regional hierarchy, with its Grand Vin considered among the most rare and sought-after wines in all of Bordeaux. Alongside the Grand Vin, the estate also produces its second wine, Chapelle d’Ausone, offering a more approachable expression of this legendary property’s unique style.

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