Château Ausone

Named after the 4th-century Roman poet, Decimus Magnus Ausonius, Chateau Ausone sits on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, in the prestigious Saint-Emilion appellation. Classified as one of the two original Premier Grand Cru Classé A estates (alongside Chateau Cheval Blanc), Ausone wines have been viewed as one of the region's top producers for decades, with the arrival of Alan Vauthier in 1976 marking a particularly strong period. Leaning on many generations of winemaking wisdom passed down since the 17th century, Libourne-native Vauthier understood the local terroir and how to embrace its best expression.

Chateau Ausone: One of Saint Emilion's Top Terroirs

Ausone's small 17-acre vineyard sits perched on rare limestone and clay soils on Roc Blancan (white rock), prized for its ability to encourage roots to grow deep, a common attribute amongst some of the finest wines in the world. Limestone is extraordinarily compatible with cabernet franc, a variety of incredible freshness, and savory pepper tones. while the variety makes up more than half of the vines on Ausone's vineyard, merlot blends well, offering a more forward, juicy expression. 

The vineyard sits on the southeast-facing slope, sheltered from the wind and harsh sun exposure. The nearby Dordogne and Isle rivers also help to create the perfect microclimate for the vines. Described as a nearly-perfect climate with no weather able to harm the final bottling, Chateau Ausone's winemakers covet their local environment. Their dedication to organic and biodynamic methods is shown by promoting local wildlife, as hedges, fruit trees, and aromatic plants are grown near the vines to keep companions. Furthermore, insects, birds, and bats are kept in the vineyard to help the natural environment and aid vine growth. 

Once the beautiful merlot and cabernet franc are harvested, the grapes undergo maceration, vinification, and are aged in traditional 100% French oak vats for up to 24 months. Yields are low, as final production numbers only hit under 2000 cases a year. 

Chateau Ausone Cabernet Franc

Known for its cabernet franc-dominated wines, Chateau Ausone produces two labels each year- a flagship bottle of cabernet franc and merlot mix, and the second label, Chapelle d'Ausone, a merlot and cabernet sauvignon blend. The flagship label has drawn the attention of renowned critics and wine enthusiasts from across the globe. One of the finest vintages was the 2005 bottle, a rare quad-100-pointer. With perfect scores from Robert Parker, Antonio Galloni, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, and Wine Spectator, this wine has slowly risen to one of Bordeaux's most iconic bottles. Both Parker and Perrotti-Brown noted the bottle as having at least 50 years of drinkability, a truly rare and stunning achievement for a wine.

With multiple other 100-pointers and highly rated vintages, each Chateau Ausone wine offers a luxurious look into the best from Bordeaux. Browse our collection to add a bottle from this coveted estate to your cellar today.