Château Ausone 2022

Ausone 2022 is a captivating expression of one of Saint-Émilion’s most revered estates, combining intensity, precision and effortless finesse in a truly great vintage. Crafted from one of the earliest harvests in the château’s history, this wine shows remarkable freshness and aromatic depth despite the warmth of the year. As one of Bordeaux’s legendary Premier Grand Cru Classé A properties, Ausone brings together centuries of heritage with meticulous, modern winemaking in this ageworthy 2022 release.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Ausone 2022 is deep, youthful ruby with a saturated core and vibrant purple highlights, signaling both concentration and energy. The bouquet is layered and refined, opening with plush notes of ripe blackberry and blueberry, followed by crushed violets, incense, and subtle exotic spice from the 100% new oak. With air, hints of blood orange, graphite, and a touch of smoke add complexity and lift. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied but incredibly poised, with silk-smooth, ultra-fine tannins that glide across the tongue. Dark berry fruit is wrapped in floral and mineral tones, with the higher proportion of Cabernet Franc bringing a cool, peppery edge and a sense of structure. The mid-palate is pure and precisely defined, leading to a long, resonant finish where notes of black fruit, violet, spice, and citrus zest linger with striking freshness. This 2022 Ausone has significant aging potential; it will reward at least 8–10 years of cellaring and should evolve beautifully for 30 years or more in a good cellar.

Production
Château Ausone lies on Saint-Émilion’s famed limestone plateau and slopes, where vines sink deep roots into a mix of hard limestone and clay-limestone soils that impart both tension and minerality to the wine. The 2022 vintage was harvested exceptionally early for the estate, beginning around 5 September, with careful, selective picking carried out by hand parcel by parcel to capture perfect ripeness and freshness. The blend leans strongly on Cabernet Franc alongside Merlot, with each plot vinified separately in temperature-controlled vats to preserve aromatics and finesse. The wine is then aged in 100% new French oak barrels, where it undergoes malolactic fermentation and élevage, allowing the intense fruit, floral notes, and spice-laced complexity to integrate while maintaining Ausone’s trademark precision.

Food & Serving
Ausone 2022 is a natural match for refined, flavorful dishes such as roast lamb with herbs, dry-aged ribeye, pigeon or duck with truffle, and veal or pork tenderloin with mushroom-based sauces. It also pairs beautifully with game birds, slow-braised beef, or earthy dishes featuring porcini mushrooms and root vegetables. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its aromatic complexity and freshness. In its youth, decanting for 2–3 hours is recommended to allow the tightly wound structure and oak to open; as the wine matures, a gentle 1-hour decant will be enough to remove sediment and fully reveal its elegance.

Producer
Château Ausone is one of Bordeaux’s most storied and coveted estates, named after the Roman poet Ausonius and rooted in viticultural history that stretches back to antiquity. Situated on the limestone terraces overlooking the medieval town of Saint-Émilion, it is one of a tiny handful of properties elevated to the highest rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé A in the appellation. Under the stewardship of the Vauthier family, Ausone has become synonymous with small-scale, artisanal production focused on Cabernet Franc and Merlot, delivering wines of remarkable longevity, perfume, and precision. Its limited production, unwavering commitment to quality, and consistently high critical acclaim make Ausone one of the benchmark producers not only of Saint-Émilion, but of all Bordeaux.

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