Château Ausone 2016

Ausone 2016 is a benchmark Saint-Émilion from one of Bordeaux’s most revered estates, crafted in a beautifully poised, classical style. A 50/50 blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, it brings together power, perfume and precision in a wine built for both contemplation and long-term cellaring. This vintage is widely considered one of the great modern Ausones, combining depth and structure with remarkable finesse.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Ausone 2016 shows an intense, deep garnet-purple colour, hinting at both concentration and youth. Initially reserved, the nose unfurls slowly, revealing layers of violets, chocolate-coated cherries, warm black plums and Black Forest cake, supported by notes of roasted nuts, smoky charcuterie, cedar and a touch of graphite. On the palate, this is medium to full-bodied with a quiet, coiled intensity that expands as it crosses the tongue. Waves of black and red berries, dark cherries and ripe plum are interwoven with savoury nuances—smoke, cedar, spice and a subtle mineral edge from the limestone soils. The tannins are firm yet beautifully velvety, giving grip without harshness, and the acidity brings a vibrant, almost electric energy to the finish, which is extraordinarily long and layered. This is a wine with significant aging potential: it will reward patience over decades, evolving gracefully over 20–40+ years in a good cellar, gaining complexity, truffle, tobacco and more tertiary character with time.

Production
Château Ausone sits on Saint-Émilion’s steep limestone slopes, a terroir that imparts its wines with a distinctive mineral tension, floral aromatics and remarkable longevity. The 2016 is composed of roughly equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot, sourced from low-yielding, old vines rooted in a mix of limestone and clay over rock, which naturally limits vigor and concentrates flavour. Harvesting is done by hand in small, precise picks to ensure optimal ripeness parcel by parcel. In the cellar, vinification is carried out with great care and attention to detail, typically in temperature-controlled vats, followed by élevage in a high proportion of new French oak barrels, where the wine matures for around 18–20 months. The result is a wine that reflects its exceptional site as much as its meticulous craftsmanship.

Food & Serving
This 2016 Ausone is a natural partner for refined, flavourful dishes such as roast lamb with rosemary, beef tenderloin, venison or other game, truffled poultry, and classic French dishes with rich jus or red wine reductions. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses and earthy mushroom-based recipes that echo its savoury depth. Serve at around 16–18°C (60–64°F) in large Bordeaux stems to allow the bouquet to open fully. In its youth, decanting for 2–3 hours is strongly recommended to help the wine unfold its aromatic layers; as it matures, a gentle decant mainly to remove sediment will suffice.

Producer
Château Ausone is one of the most illustrious names in Bordeaux, ranked among the very top estates of Saint-Émilion as a Premier Grand Cru Classé A. Its origins date back centuries, and the property takes its name from the Roman poet Ausonius, symbolising the estate’s long viticultural history. With a tiny vineyard holding compared to many Bordeaux châteaux, Ausone focuses on meticulous, small-scale production, emphasizing Cabernet Franc and Merlot grown on its dramatic limestone terraces. The estate has become a reference point for ageworthy, ultra-refined Right Bank wines, consistently earning some of the highest critical acclaim in the region and reinforcing its status as one of Bordeaux’s true crown jewels.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.