Fragt kr. 49,- Fri fragt v/ køb over kr. 1999
Château Ausone er et af de mest legendariske navne i Bordeaux – et sted, hvor vin, historie og poesi smelter sammen. Navnet er en hyldest til den romerske digter Decimus Magnus Ausonius, som i 300-tallet beskrev landskabet og vinen omkring Bordeaux med en hengivenhed, der stadig genlyder i dag. Meget tyder på, at hans egen ejendom, Lucaniacum, lå netop her på klippeskråningen under Saint-Émilion. Gennem århundrederne har mennesker arbejdet i den lyse kalksten, Roc Blancan, hvor både boliger, kældre og vinmarker har fået liv. Dybt under jorden strækker gamle tunneller sig som et tavst vidnesbyrd om to tusind års vinavl, og det er her, Ausones vine modner i ro, omgivet af fugt, kølighed og stilhed.
Ejendommen har siden 1600-tallet været i hænderne på familien Vauthier, der stadig lever efter et simpelt princip: vinmagerens vigtigste opgave er at træde til side og lade naturen tale. I dag viderefører Alain Vauthier og datteren Pauline den tradition med samme omhu, som generationer før dem. De blot syv hektar marker ligger som terrasser hugget ind i klippen og dyrkes nænsomt efter økologiske og biodynamiske principper. Jordbunden består af kalksten og ler, og sammenspillet mellem Cabernet Franc og Merlot skaber en vin med sjælden harmoni – intens, mineralsk og silkeblød på én gang. Château Ausone er essensen af Saint-Émilions kalkstenshjerte, mens 2. vinen, Chapelle d’Ausone, giver et smukt, mere umiddelbart udtryk af det samme enestående terroir.
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BEPLANTNING
Merlot 45%, Cabernet Franc 55%
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AREAL
7,25 hektar
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SLOTTETS ANDEN VIN
Chapelle d’Ausone
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EJER
Alain Vauthier
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LINK
The 2018 Ausone is a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple in color, rather predictably, the nose is almost completely shut-down on first sniff, taking considerable aeration to begin to reveal its jaw-dropping perfume of ripe black cherries, wild blueberries and plum preserves, leading to suggestions of candied violets, molten chocolate, licorice and crushed rocks with subtle cedar and pencil lead hints. The medium to full-bodied palate (14.5% alcohol) is so tightly wound and nuanced at this stage, it requires a lot of focus unravel all that is going on here. In short: a lot. The ripe, rich, black and blue fruit layers eventually give way to the beautifully cerebral earthy/minerally subtext, carried by fantastically well-knit tension, delivering an incredibly long, foundation-shaking finish. If the earth doesn't move when you drink this, you're probably not doing it right.
With a depth of flavor that feels like they managed to pack a magnum into a single bottle, this wine is all about its intensity and incredible sense of minerality and purity. Rich, fabulously concentrated and deep, the seamless finish which surpasses 60 seconds is loaded velvet drenched black, blue and red fruit, spice, smoke, earth, licorice, crushed rocks, stones and oyster shells. The cashmere tannins, and vibrancy is awe inspiring. The wine blends 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot, 14.5% ABV. If you have the money, there are few wines at this level of quality produced from any vineyard in the world.
The 2018 Ausone is mind-blowing. The aromatics alone are mesmerizing. I don't know what more to say. Cabernet Franc is so expressive, so vibrant so nuanced. Rose petal, cinnamon, star anise and sage meld into a core of red fleshed fruit. The 2018 doesn't impress with opulence or richness, rather it is a Saint-Émilion that is all about persistence and energy. I won't be at all surprised if it merits a higher score in the future. Readers who can find it should not hesitate. The 2018 is a viscerally thrilling wine of the highest level.