Benchmark Wines by

Ausone

The Winery

Château Ausone

Located on the hillsides of St.-Emilion, Château Ausone’s production is almost boutique, totaling just over 2000 cases per annum with little emphasis on export, making it difficult to find their wines commercially and internationally. The scarcity and desirability of Château Ausone lands the wines in third place for the most expensive Bordelais houses, after Petrus and Le Pin. In the 1990s the Vauthier and Dubois-Challon families began to argue over the philosophy of winemaking resulting in a buyout of the Dubois-Challon family, and the hiring of winemaker Alain Vauthier with world renowned consultant Michel Rolland at his side. The new ownership resulted in a later harvest (weather permitting), malolactic fermentation in barrel, and the introduction of a second wine called Chapelle d’Ausone. Today Ausone is one of only four wines ranked Premier Grand Cru Classe (A) of the St. Emilion wine classification.

www.chateau-ausone.fr

1996
Out of Stock
750ml
WA92
V92
Favorite
Share
View all wines by Ausone

Tasting Notes

WA92
Deep and more youthful in color than previous bottles, it delivered a minty, floral, almost Margaux-like bouquet whose intensity has remained undimmed in all the years I have been tasting it. The palate is medium-bodied with a heady attack on the entry, a little warmth here that slightly smudged the delineation, Merlot in the driving seat for the first half and the Cabernet Franc component imparting blueberry and cassis notes on the finish.
V92
The palate is medium-bodied with sweet and ripe tannin, impressive acidity and weight although it does not revel in the complexity of other vintages, perhaps because the growing season did not favour the Right Bank. There is a touch of headiness on the finish that is a little otiose but otherwise this is a thoroughly enjoyable Ausone. Tasted at the Ausone vertical in London.

Other wines you may like

2000
1 In Stock
750ml
V100
WCI100
TWI100
Favorite
Share
1978
2 In Stock
750ml
BSL
WS96
1970
1 In Stock
750ml
BSLVTS
WS90
CT90

Rare Wines, Serious Collectors

As the #1 back-vintage retailer in the US, Benchmark Wine Group prides itself on being a trusted source for the greatest wines in the world. Their unparalleled market knowledge and exceptional service have come together to provide the most accessible cellar of rare and sought-after wines with a guarantee.

Provenance Guarantee

Benchmark Wine Group

445 Devlin Road
Napa, CA 94558

Phone: 707.255.3500
Fax: 707.255.3503
SMS: 707.200.4049

Questions?

Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
Shipping Questions?
orders@benchmarkwine.com

Included in Wine Enthusiast's 50 Best Wine Retailers in America