Bordeaux 2022: Chateau Ausone and Chateau Palmer

Ausone is one of the most iconic wines in the world. Under the management of Alain and Pauline Vauthier, these limestone slopes planted with old vine Cabernet Franc and Merlot have produced a string of exquisite and profound wines. The 2022 is another exceptional example, a blockbuster Ausone: intense, layered and structured. One can clearly see the huge potential here, although patience will be required…

“The 2022 Ausone was picked from 5 to 30 September and matured for 20 months in French oak. These aromatics take a little time to open in the glass. Once they do, they are precise with wilted iris flowers infusing the black fruit and background pencil box and incense hints. The palate is medium-bodied with silver bead acidity threaded through the blackberry and bilberry fruit. Fresh and focused, this Ausone possesses a structured finish with a pinch of black pepper on the finish. Elegant in style, this Ausone almost creeps up in you and seduces, intellectual and persistent in the mouth. Upon departing, I couldn't help wondering if I had witnessed this Saint-Émilion demonstrate its full potential, hence the plus sign against my score. 14.4% alcohol. 2030-2065. 95-97+/100” – Neal Martin, vinous.com

We also have the release of Chateau Palmer from Margaux. Often regarded as a rival to its First Growth neighbour, the 2022 is a dark and brooding example. We didn’t have the best tasting here, however, the critics and most of the trade are raving about the latest offering from this biodynamically farmed estate.

“The 2022 Palmer was cropped at just 22hL/ha due to the berries being 25-30% smaller than usual. It bursts forth on the nose with precocious black cherries, blueberry, violet and touches of marmalade and tobacco in the background. Complex and expressive. The palate is structured, with the tannic backbone, that winemaker Thomas Duroux talked about, lending this Palmer a sense of verticality. Hints of black pepper emerge with time, multi-layered, a powerful Margaux and yet the IPT is actually lower than elsewhere (76). Quite linear on the tobacco-infused finish, which is just quintessential Palmer. Do reserve a bin in your cellar for this and let it gather dust for at least a decade. 14.4% alcohol. 2035-2080. 96-98” – Neal Martin, vinous.com

Ausone will be on allocation.