Bordeaux 2024: Château Ausone

Ausone is widely regarded as one of the greatest terroirs of Bordeaux. Set on the steep, limestone Cote of St Emilion, Ausone has a reputation for powerful, yet ethereal wines. The 2024 is a delight. Produced with slightly more Cabernet Franc than usual due to some mildew and coulure in the Merlots, this is a soaring St Emilion with a wonderfully vivid perfume and a superior texture, this is clearly a special wine, full of grace, charm and reverberating length.

"The 2024 Ausone was picked between September 30 and October 5. It aged for 20 months in new French oak from 5 cooperages with malo in barrel as usual. There is slightly less Merlot in the blend due to mildew and coulure during the season. It has a very pure nose with black cherry, wild strawberry and a touch of cracked black pepper in the background. It just misses some of the profound complexity that a top Ausone can deliver. The palate is lovely, though, one of the most velvety 2024s that I tasted out of barrel. This is very harmonious with a focused and sustained finish. Whilst it doesn't quite have the horsepower or sheer ambition of a top-drawer Ausone, this is a success for the vintage simply because it is endowed with greater substance and persistence. There's presence here. 2029 – 2055.” 93-95/100 – Neal Martin, vinous.com

Allain Vauthier’s other wines, Chapelle d’Ausone, La Clotte, Moulin St George and Fonbel are also available to buy.