Bordeaux 2023: Château Ausone

The 2023 Ausone is yet another magnificent, multifaceted example, which will grow in stature and complexity during élevage. There’s plenty of sauvage, aromatic fruit cosseted by detailed tannins and a beautiful sense of salinity. This is a truly great expression of Cabernet Franc!

It is also worth highlighting the other wines from the Vauthier portfolio. Chapelle d’Ausone is an admirable second wine with all the pedigree of this noble terroir. Moulin St Georges continues its excellent form and the dependable Fonbel ranks amongst the best value wines of the vintage.

“A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot, the 2023 Ausone has a pH of 3.63 and a deep garnet-purple color. It is very mute and reticent to show its personality to start, needing a lot of shaking and pleading to coax out a series of intense scents: fresh blackberries, violets, licorice, pencil shavings, and tar, leading to an undercurrent of Sichuan pepper and fertile loam. The medium-bodied palate has wonderful tension and is incredibly taut and tight-knit, offering glimpses at layers of mineral and floral accented fresh blackberry flavors. It is textured by incredibly ripe, fine-grained tannins, delivering a very long finish, laced with mineral sparkles.” 98-100/100 – Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent