Robert Parker Jr., Robert Parker, June 2004 - 98P: The 2001 Ausone has put on even more weight than I anticipated. The “wine of the vintage,” this inky/purple-colored 2001 boasts a provocative, floral perfume of crushed stones, raspberries, blackberries, creme de cassis, licorice, and smoke. What makes it so sensational are the layers of flavor and nuances that unfold as the wine sits in the glass as well as on the palate. This is an extraordinarily intense effort, but remarkably elegant and well-balanced. It ideally needs another decade of cellaring; it should last for 4-5 decades! Alain Vauthier is a perfectionist, which is evidenced by what he has produced over the last half dozen vintages at Ausone. Kudos to readers lucky enough to find a bottle or two ... and live long enough to enjoy them in their prime. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050+. Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, May 2004 - 93+P: Medium ruby. Tarry black fruits and minerals on the nose. Began extremely tight and austere, with penetrating black fruit and mineral flavors. With aeration, this showed more flesh and complexity, hinting at blackberry, graphite, espresso and sexy oak. For such a vibrant, juicy, minerally wine, the tannins are extremely fine. This may well merit an even higher score 12 to 15 years down the road. General information: Château Ausone is one of the most prestigious wine estates in Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, with a history dating back to Roman times. The estate takes its name from the Roman poet Decimius Magnus Ausonius, who owned about 100 acres of vineyards in the area during the 4th century. Location and Terroir: The estate is perched on the western edge of Saint-Émilion, featuring elevated vineyards facing south on steep terraces. The vineyard spans just over 7 hectares, making it one of the smallest premier estates in Bordeaux. The exceptional terroir combines a unique mixture of sand and clay on limestone, with the vineyards benefiting from ideal drainage and protection from extreme weather. Vineyard and Production Grape Composition:- 50% Cabernet Franc- 50% Merlot- Planting density: 6,500 vines per hectare Annual production is extremely limited, averaging only about 2,000 cases between both their grand vin and second wine, Chapelle d'Ausone. Ownership and Management The Vauthier family has been involved with the estate since 1690. Currently, Alain Vauthier and his daughter Pauline manage the property. The estate employs a combination of traditional and modern techniques, including methods inspired by organic and biodynamic processes. Wine Characteristics Ausone wines are known for their:- Delicate and structured nose- Rich concentrations of exotic fruit- Long finish- Exceptional aging potential- Strong minerality from limestone deposits The wines require significant aging, with good vintages continuing to improve for decades. Due to its limited production and exceptional quality, Château Ausone has become one of the most sought-after Saint-Émilion wines. Classification: Château Ausone's classification status has undergone significant recent changes: Historical Classification From 1955 until 2021, Château Ausone held the prestigious Premier Grand Cru Classé "A" status in Saint-Émilion, representing the highest level of classification. Current Status As of 2022, Château Ausone no longer participates in the Saint-Émilion classification system. Starting with the 2022 vintage, their labels only mention "Saint-Émilion Grand Cru" without any classification status. Reason for Withdrawal The estate withdrew from the classification system in 2022 due to: - Concerns about the evaluation criteria moving away from emphasis on terroir and wine quality- Disagreement with the short 10-year re-evaluation period- Issues with the increasing focus on marketing and tourism rather than wine quality This decision was made independently but coincided with similar withdrawals by other prestigious estates like Château Cheval Blanc. The withdrawal is not expected to impact Ausone's reputation or market position, as their prestige extends beyond the classification system.
