{"product_id":"ausone-2021-75-cl","title":"Château Ausone 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eAusone 2021 (75 cl) is a poised and alluring red wine from one of Saint-Émilion’s most revered limestone slopes, crafted in a challenging yet character-building vintage. Composed of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot, it captures both the crystalline purity of its terroir and the finesse that has made Ausone a legend in Bordeaux. Born in the estate’s second year of organic conversion, this 2021 offers a refined, almost old‑school expression of elegance rather than sheer power.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, Ausone 2021 shows a deep, vibrant ruby colour with a luminous edge that hints at both concentration and freshness. The nose is immediately seductive and complex, layering vanilla, delicate baking spices and lightly toasted bread from its 90% new oak with notes of mint‑flecked dark berries, black cherry, rose petals and a subtle graphite\/“pencil shavings” minerality.\n\nOn the palate, the wine is medium to full bodied, silky and thoroughly layered, with a generous, enveloping core of ripe dark fruit that remains remarkably energetic and pure. The Cabernet Franc brings floral lift, cool herbal detail and fine‑boned structure, while the Merlot adds flesh and juiciness to the mid‑palate. The finish is long and finely etched, currently marked by confident, still‑youthful oak tannins that frame the fruit without overwhelming it. Built for the cellar, this 2021 should evolve gracefully over 15–25 years, gaining further complexity as the wood integrates and the limestone signature becomes even more pronounced.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAusone is perched on the dramatic limestone and clay slopes above Saint‑Émilion, a terroir famed for its sheer rock, underground caves and thin topsoils that naturally restrict yields while preserving freshness. The 2021 vintage coincided with the estate’s second year of organic conversion and was marked by disease pressure, making meticulous vineyard work and careful fruit selection essential. Grapes were harvested by hand in small parcels at optimal ripeness, then carefully sorted before vinification. The blend of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot was fermented in temperature‑controlled vats, followed by élevage in 90% new French oak barrels—primarily from renowned coopers Demptos and Taransaud—with several rackings to refine the texture and polish the tannins. The result is a wine that marries modern precision with a very classic sense of place.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAusone 2021 is a natural partner for refined, savoury dishes: think roast lamb with rosemary, pigeon or duck breast, veal with morel mushrooms, or a well‑marbled aged ribeye. It also pairs beautifully with truffle dishes, wild mushrooms, and hard or semi‑hard cheeses such as Comté, aged Gouda or well‑aged farmhouse cheddar. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to showcase its aromatic complexity and freshness. In its youth, decanting for 2–3 hours is recommended to help the oak tannins relax and allow the floral and mineral nuances to emerge; as the wine matures, a shorter decant—just enough to awaken the bouquet—will suffice.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChâteau Ausone is one of Bordeaux’s most storied estates, a tiny jewel of Saint‑Émilion renowned for its dramatic limestone terraces and its long history of crafting some of the Right Bank’s most age‑worthy wines. Named after the Roman poet Ausonius, the property has been associated with viticulture since antiquity and has long enjoyed an almost mythical status among collectors. Historically classified at the very top tier of Saint‑Émilion, Ausone is known for its Cabernet Franc‑driven blend, its small production and its unwavering focus on expressing its unique limestone terroir. Across generations, the estate has built a reputation for producing wines that combine power with precision, longevity with grace—traits that remain very much in evidence in the 2021 vintage.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Château Ausone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54252371935569,"sku":"PS-8006074499272","price":738.82,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/AUSONE_1cb28feb-3e0b-4bd3-890d-f503c7e35173.png?v=1783444353","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/ausone-2021-75-cl","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}