Château Ausone 2017

Ausone 2017 is a poised and deeply refined Saint-Émilion red that showcases the extraordinary pedigree of this legendary estate in a cooler, classic Bordeaux vintage. A blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot, it delivers impressive concentration without excess weight, emphasizing purity, elegance, and striking minerality. Named after the Roman poet Ausonius, the château sits on one of the appellation’s most privileged limestone slopes, a site that has shaped its reputation as one of Bordeaux’s most coveted and ageworthy wines.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Ausone 2017 shows a deep garnet-purple hue, youthful and vibrant, hinting at its long life ahead. The nose is expressive and layered, opening with baked red and black plums, wild blueberries and boysenberries, then unfurling notes of violets, espresso, aniseed, and melted dark chocolate. Subtle nuances of crushed rock, iron ore, and freshly tilled earth add a distinctive mineral complexity. On the palate, this is medium-bodied yet intense, a study in balance rather than power. The fruit is pure and perfumed, wrapped in silk-smooth, beautifully ripe tannins and carried by a vivid, juicy freshness. The mineral core runs through the wine from start to finish, lending tension and precision to the long, focused, and very savory finish. While already harmonious in structure, Ausone 2017 is built to evolve gracefully for 20–30 years or more, with its aromatic layers and minerality becoming even more complex over time.

Production
Ausone is perched on the steep, terraced limestone slopes of Saint-Émilion, overlooking the Dordogne River, where a thin layer of clay over pure limestone bedrock produces wines of remarkable finesse, tension, and minerality. The vines, many of them old, are tended with meticulous care, with low yields and selective hand-harvesting carried out parcel by parcel to capture each plot at perfect physiological ripeness. In the cellar, the fruit is sorted by hand and vinified in small, temperature-controlled vats to preserve aromatic precision and structure, followed by élevage in a high proportion of new French oak barrels, where the wine matures on fine lees, integrating its tannins and oak while maintaining the purity and energy that define Ausone.

Food & Serving
Ausone 2017 calls for refined, subtly prepared dishes that highlight its elegance and complexity. Think roasted lamb with herbs, veal with morel mushrooms, pigeon or duck with a red wine reduction, or well-marbled beef cooked simply and served with seasonal vegetables. It also pairs beautifully with truffle-infused dishes, earthy mushroom preparations, and aged hard cheeses such as Comté or old Gouda. Serve at 16–18°C (about 60–64°F) to allow the aromatics to fully express themselves. Decanting for 1.5–2 hours in its youth will help open the bouquet and soften the structure; older bottles should be decanted more gently and briefly to preserve their delicate tertiary nuances.

Producer
Château Ausone is one of Bordeaux’s most revered estates, classified among the very top tier of Saint-Émilion as a Premier Grand Cru Classé (A) for many years, and long recognized as one of the region’s true blue-chip names. Its history stretches back to Roman times, and the property is believed to be linked to the poet and statesman Ausonius, from whom it takes its name. With just a tiny vineyard holding compared to many Bordeaux châteaux, Ausone focuses on artisanal, small-scale production, emphasizing Cabernet Franc and Merlot grown on exceptional limestone terroir. The estate’s wines are celebrated for their longevity, aromatic complexity, and almost Burgundian finesse, making Ausone a benchmark not only in Saint-Émilion but in the entire world of fine wine.

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