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
Hands down one of the wines of the vintage, shows power and depth coupled at every point with lift and grip, stretches out through the palate, slowly but surely delivering a tickle of spiced sage and saffron, with sappy blackcurrant and graphite. 100% new oak, harvest september 5 to 27, organic conversion, 54 years average vines, Vauthier family shows once again how well they judge construction and architecture. First year not officially a Premier Grand Cru Classé A, but they have kept the ranking off the label for a number of years, so no change on that level.
Wow. This is such a big and beautiful Ausone with huge depth that slowly uncoils. Really powerful, mineral and naturally concentrated, with iron, chalk and a rich, almost opulent core of black fruit, but really fresh, with chiseled tapenade and wood spices that only tiptoe on the nose. Superb intensity hidden beneath the palate, with a matrix of chalky tannins that vibrate, shine and extend. Nothing stops it at the finish, which lasts well over a minute. Almost beguilingly drinkable considering the tannin quality, which is so fine and energetic, but I'd give it at least 3-4 years to let the wood spices integrate more and let the wine grow with more complexity. A bigger Ausone with higher alcohol, but fantastic and rather outrageous. 60% cabernet franc and 40% merlot. This will age well for at least two decades.
Lastly, the Grand Vin 2022 Château Ausone is based on equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot that spent 20 months in new barrels. Smoky black cherries, mulberries, iron, violets, and spring flower notes are just some of its nuances, and it's deep purple-hued, with full-bodied richness and a surprising level of elegance, purity, and precision. This is one of the more elegant, finesse-driven, yet still incredibly powerful examples of this Château that I can remember. It deserves a decade of cellaring and will evolve for half a century.