Chapelle d'Ausone, St Emilion Grand Cru,

An impressive Chapelle that opens with a wave of opulence, rich and confident in its construction. Majors on tobacco, cigar box, liqourice, chocolate, creamy damson, black cherry puree, velvety tannins. Incredible to think that this character can be teased out of pure limestone soils, but their fingerprint, with a welcome edge of salty cracker, comes in on the finish. Takes the character of the vintage and leans right in to it. Highly accomplished. 3.5ph, 100% new oak. Conversion to organic farming since 2020, Philippe Baillarguet cellar master, Pauline Vauthier owner and winemaker.

A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, with a pH of 3.52 and a TPI of 74, the Chapelle d’Ausone 2022 is deep garnet-purple in color. It swans out with showy notions of kirsch, black cherry compote, and black raspberries, followed by wafts of garrigue, violets, and cedar chest. Full-bodied, the palate is built like a brick house, delivering firm, fine-grained tannins and amazing acidity to support the dense, generous fruit, finishing long and minerally. Impressive!

The 2022 Chapelle d'Ausone has slightly less Cabernet Franc than the previous vintage (60%). Picked from 5 to 30 September and matured for a planned 20 months, it has a floral nose with underlying oyster shell scents from the astéries limestone. The palate is pure and medium-bodied with svelte, silky smooth tannins and fine acidity. Black cherries, soy and blueberry notes appear toward the finish, with a dash of white pepper on the aftertaste. Very fine.