2019 Château Ausone Chapelle d'Ausone

2019 Chapelle d'Ausone is the coveted second wine of the legendary Château Ausone in Saint-Émilion, offering a more approachable expression of this iconic limestone terroir. In 2019 it shows impressive depth, purity and refinement, channelling much of the character of the Grand Vin in a slightly more open and seductive style. Dense yet beautifully layered, it’s a wine that combines power with precision and real charm in the glass. Crafted primarily from Merlot and Cabernet Franc grown on Ausone’s steep, limestone-rich slopes, Chapelle d’Ausone stands out for its remarkable aromatic complexity and fine-boned structure. The estate’s Roman roots and long history of viticulture – with origins tracing back to the 4th century and the poet Ausonius – give this wine an extra dimension of historical prestige that few bottles can match.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2019 Chapelle d’Ausone is deep ruby to purple, with a vivid, almost glossy intensity that hints at concentration and youth. The nose is wonderfully expressive: wild red cherries, ripe plum and black raspberry weave together with exotic spices, dried rose petals, violet, mocha, espresso and a subtle touch of cedar and graphite. As it opens, notes of dried flowers and a faint mineral, chalky lift emerge, adding finesse and complexity. On the palate, this is a tightly knit yet seductive Saint-Émilion, medium to full-bodied with a core of sweet red and dark berry fruit wrapped in fine-grained, polished tannins. Flavours of red cherry, plum and blackcurrant are layered with cocoa, coffee bean, baking spices and a savoury, stony undercurrent from the limestone soils. The texture is silky but structured, with vibrant acidity keeping everything fresh and precise. The finish is long, perfumed and refined, suggesting a wine that will reward patience. While already alluring in its youth after a good decant, the 2019 Chapelle d’Ausone has the balance and concentration to evolve gracefully for 10–15 years from vintage, and likely longer in a good cellar.

Production
Chapelle d’Ausone is drawn from the same privileged terroir as Château Ausone itself: steep, south- and southeast-facing limestone slopes and plateau on the eastern side of Saint-Émilion. Here, the thin topsoil over pure limestone bedrock gives low yields, excellent drainage and a distinctive mineral tension in the wines. The approximately 7 hectares of vineyards are planted mainly with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with a relatively high proportion of Cabernet Franc contributing floral lift and structure. The grapes for Chapelle d’Ausone are harvested entirely by hand, parcel by parcel, with rigorous selection of bunches both in the vineyard and at the sorting table to ensure only pristine fruit makes it into the vats. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel and concrete tanks, combining precision and gentle extraction to preserve aromatics and fine tannins. After vinification, the wine is matured in French oak barrels—many of them new—for roughly 18 to 24 months. This élevage adds complexity, texture and subtle notes of spice and toast without overwhelming the natural expression of fruit and terroir.

Food & Serving
The 2019 Chapelle d’Ausone is a versatile yet decidedly gastronomic Saint-Émilion, ideal with refined dishes that complement its depth and elegance. It shines alongside roast lamb with herbs, slow-cooked veal or beef, duck breast with a red wine reduction, and classic dishes such as beef Wellington or tournedos Rossini. Game birds, truffle-infused cuisine, wild mushroom risotto, and aged hard cheeses like Comté or matured Gouda also make excellent partners. For ideal enjoyment, serve at 16–18°C (about 60–64°F). In its youth, decant for 1–2 hours to allow the bouquet to unfurl and the tannins to soften, especially if opened within the first 5–8 years after the vintage. As it develops with age, a shorter decant of 30–45 minutes is usually sufficient, mainly to remove any sediment and gently awaken the wine’s complex aromas.

Producer
Château Ausone is one of Bordeaux’s most illustrious estates and a cornerstone of Saint-Émilion’s reputation, classified at the highest level as Premier Grand Cru Classé A for many years. The property takes its name from the Roman poet and statesman Ausonius, who is believed to have owned vines on this very site in the 4th century AD. Viticulture continued through the Middle Ages and beyond, and over centuries the estate has forged a reputation for producing some of the most profound, age-worthy wines on Bordeaux’s Right Bank. Sitting on the limestone plateau and slopes above the town of Saint-Émilion, Château Ausone enjoys one of the region’s most exceptional terroirs, with a tiny surface area and extremely low yields. Its wines are revered for their combination of power, minerality, aromatic complexity and remarkable longevity. Chapelle d’Ausone, the second wine, is crafted with the same meticulous care as the Grand Vin, offering a more accessible but still highly refined expression of this storied estate. This dual range has helped cement Ausone’s status as a benchmark for Cabernet Franc–Merlot blends in Bordeaux and a reference point for collectors and connoisseurs worldwide.

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