Château Ausone 2013 DBMG

Ausone 2013 in Double Magnum (3L) is a rare and collectible expression of one of Saint-Émilion’s most revered estates, bottled in a format made for long, graceful aging. In a challenging Bordeaux vintage, this wine stands out as a benchmark, proving that truly great terroir and meticulous winemaking can transcend the season. With only around 9,000 bottles produced and yields at half the normal level, this is both a profound wine and a highly limited opportunity for serious collectors. Blended from 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot, the 2013 Ausone showcases its limestone-rich slopes in a wine of haunting perfume, depth and finesse rather than sheer power. Often cited as one of the wines of the vintage, it continues the long tradition of Château Ausone, an estate whose roots trace back to Roman times and which has long held a coveted position at the very top of Saint-Émilion’s classification.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Ausone 2013 displays a deep, vivid ruby-purple core with a refined, translucent rim – youthful yet already showing the polish and precision typical of the château. The nose is intensely aromatic and layered: expect notes of blue and black fruits (blueberry, blackcurrant, black cherry) wrapped in scents of spring flowers, violets, and a distinct minerality reminiscent of wet stone and chalk. Subtler hints of forest floor, tobacco leaf, and fine spice emerge with air, adding a gentle earthiness and complexity. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied but remarkably dense and concentrated, with a seamless texture and sweet, ultra-fine tannins. The Cabernet Franc shines through in the wine’s lift, aromatic complexity and structure, while Merlot contributes plush fruit and mid-palate richness. Flavors of dark berries, plum and cassis intertwine with notes of graphite, truffle, floral tones and a subtle savory edge. The finish is long, persistent and almost weightless, carried by fresh acidity and a chalky, mouthcoating minerality. Though already approachable with sufficient aeration, this Double Magnum has the structure and balance to develop gracefully over 25–30 years from the vintage, gaining additional depth, nuance and tertiary complexity with time in the cellar.

Production
Château Ausone sits on a small, privileged plateau and steep limestone terraces just outside the town of Saint-Émilion, a terroir famed for its pure limestone bedrock and clay-limestone soils that give the wines their signature tension, perfume and mineral drive. Yields in 2013 were minuscule—around 22 hectoliters per hectare—due to strict selection in the vineyard and the difficulties of the vintage, with much fruit eliminated to ensure only the finest grapes made it into the grand vin. The vines, predominantly Cabernet Franc and Merlot, are hand-harvested parcel by parcel at optimal ripeness and carefully sorted. Fermentation typically takes place in small oak vats or temperature-controlled vessels, with gentle extraction to preserve finesse rather than force. The wine is then aged in a high proportion of new French oak barriques for around 18–20 months, where it gains additional complexity, integration and texture, while still allowing the distinctive limestone character and varietal purity to remain at the forefront.

Food & Serving
Ausone 2013 is a refined, gastronomic Bordeaux that pairs beautifully with elegant yet flavorful dishes. Classic matches include roast lamb with herbs, slow-cooked veal, duck breast, pigeon, or game birds, as well as dishes featuring mushrooms or black truffle, which echo the wine’s earthy and floral notes. It also works wonderfully with refined beef preparations, braised short ribs, or aged hard cheeses such as Comté or matured Parmesan. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to bring out its aromatics and balance; avoid over-warming, which can blur its freshness and detail. Given the Double Magnum format and the wine’s youthfulness in structural terms, decanting for 2–4 hours is recommended to allow the bouquet to fully open and the tannins to soften, especially if enjoyed within its earlier drinking window.

Producer
Château Ausone is one of Bordeaux’s most storied and sought-after estates, named after the Roman poet and statesman Ausonius and with viticultural roots that date back nearly two millennia. Occupying a tiny, steeply terraced vineyard on limestone bedrock, the estate ranks among the very top echelon of Saint-Émilion producers and has long held the coveted Premier Grand Cru Classé A status, underscoring its historical and qualitative importance in the region. Under the stewardship of Alain Vauthier and his family, Ausone has become known for producing some of the most profound, long-lived and characterful wines of the Right Bank, with a particular emphasis on Cabernet Franc and a style that marries aromatic intensity, precision and mineral-driven elegance. Consistently praised by critics and collectors alike, Ausone’s limited production and unwavering commitment to quality have secured its place as one of the great names in fine wine worldwide.

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