2005 Ausone

100 RP

Qty:

From the critics:

100 WS

98+ VM

98 WE

Featured Review

The 2005 Ausone is a perfect wine of the vintage. It displays crushed rock, spring flowers, blueberry and blackberry fruit, a full-bodied mouthfeel, stunning purity and richness, and perfect harmony among all of its component parts (acidity, tannin, wood, alcohol and extract). Still youthful, but oh, so promising, this wine should be set aside for another decade and drunk over the following 50-75 years. Robert Parker

Robert Parker | 100 RP

I love the tobacco, berry, cigar box, toasty oak, ripe fruit and fresh mushroom flavors in this full-bodied red, which has ultralayered tannins and vanilla, new oak and berry character. Powerful and superconcentrated, with great length. This is a muscular, full-throttle wine, racing very, very fast. Best after 2019. 1,330 cases made.

Wine Spectator | 100 WS

Deep ruby-red. Penetrating aromas of cassis and minerals. The nose does not prepare one for this huge, improbably sweet, palate-saturating wine, whose pungent minerality and epic intensity makes it solid as a rock. The three-dimensional texture here is uncanny, and the wine’s explosive finishing flavors of dark berries, bitter chocolate and minerals persist for minutes. This must be one of the three or four greatest young Bordeaux I’ve ever tasted. The numbers here: 14.28% alcohol, 3.55 pH and an IPT between 80 and 85. This will go on for several decades, and I would not be at all surprised if it shut down in bottle for a very long time.

Vinous Media | 98+ VM

A superb wine that brings together all the qualities of this vintage. It has great fruit, layers of acidity, dark tannins and a velvety texture, without losing the sense of place that sets great Bordeaux apart.

Wine Enthusiast | 98 WE

Type of Wine	Bordeaux Red : Picture in your mind a combination of cedar, lead pencil, blackcurrant, plum and mineral aromatics, and texture that caresses your palate like a playful lover. The experience is thrilling from the first whiff to the final seconds of a tannic, generous finish - that is what you'll get from a Bordeaux Red
Varietal	Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
Country	France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.
Region	Bordeaux : Even among the greatest and most reputable wine regions on the planet, Bordeaux stands above the rest. The winemakers of this region have a single-minded dedication to the fine art of viticulture and their efforts never fail to show. If you consider yourself a fine wine enthusiast, you owe it to yourself to visit Bordeaux - life changing. Whether you wish to drink some inspirational and gripping wine as soon as possible, or you want to add some masterpieces to your collection, no region on Earth is a more obvious choice. The noble and beautiful Garonne and Dordogne rivers surge through southwestern France, enriching the soil in a way very few other places can boast. The limestone-based earth is rich in calcium, and the almost oceanic climate conditions give the staple Bordeaux grape varietals vigor and flavor like nowhere else. For their illustrious reds, Bordeaux winemakers rely on a proven combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Meanwhile, a sip of their excellent white wine hints at the use of Semillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon Blanc.Each of these varietals carries a unique identity, making every quality wine a character piece to rival Citizen Kane. It can be incredibly hard to choose only a few wines to collect for your cellar!
Subregion	Right Bank
Appellation	Saint Emilion

Producer	Chateau Ausone : There is something poetic about Chateau Ausone; from the natural amphitheater where the vines rest sheltered from severe elements, to its rich and illustrious history, to the very wine itself that seems to sing an unrivaled tune of greatness. Perhaps it is because the name is derived from Decimus Magnus Ausonius, a Roman poet born in Bordeaux in 310AD and considered one of the greatest of his time. It is speculated that this historic property dates back to the time of Ausonius and that his original villa once resided here. The poet and winegrower’s imposing estate, Lucaniacum whose wine was extolled of in his poetic oratory has left significant signs of his once dominating presence at Ausone. Agricultural implements, mosaics depicting vines and fragments of statues have been found in the deep limestone caverns under the Chateau which is now the fermenting and aging location for Ausone’s wines. The family who owns this magnificent property today, insists this was the nascent of a 2,000 year history of cultivation of one of the greatest wines in the world. Unlike most estates in Bordeaux, Ausone has remained a family affair, and has seen only three family ownerships in its long and memorable history. Very few properties have the luxury of not having to play musical chairs in regards to ownership or control. Today, the estate rests faithfully in the hands of the Vauthier family, who credit as much of Ausone’s success to its deep history as it does to the fortunate location of its vines. While many estates were hard-hit by devastating ice storms over the years, Ausone enjoyed astonishing immunity. Though, the Vauthiers insist it was good fortune and not entitlement. Nature concentrates its gifts in favor of the wine here at Ausone, where 7 hectares of vines are spread across small terraces. Surrounded by stone, the parcels are sheltered by the wind, while enjoying generous sunshine from South-Eastern exposure and the perfect amount of shade in the afternoon. The proximity of the Dordogne and Isle rivers meet nearby and assist with creating the ideal microclimate, ensuring growth of the finest fruit in the Right Bank. A portion of vines that grow on the plateau are made up of asteriated limestone, where their roots seek out a modicum of energy in the rock. On the hill, the vines anchor themselves in limestone with clay soil; the clay provides a welcoming amount of moisture when drought conditions prevail. The growing conditions are so accommodating for optimal balance that the land is coveted by many growers not only in the Right Bank, but in all of Bordeaux. Many producers enviously claim that Ausone is in possession of the greatest terroir in all of Bordeaux. Chateau Ausone is the jewel of the estate which exudes the power and mineral profile of its main varietal, Cabernet Franc. The Cab Franc vines are some of the oldest in St. Emilion, with some being more than 100 years of age. Merlot is the second component helping to round out the wine with a pure and chiseled structure allowing finesse and freshness to linger long on the palate, finishing with exquisite balance; a monumental wine of subtle elegance. A second wine is fashioned at the estate which is crafted similarly to its elder sibling. However, where the flagship vines are on average fifty years old, the vines used to produce Chapelle d’Ausone are cultivated in younger sections which will later on be use for its flagship. Chapelle d’Ausone is comprised of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and is mingled with the slightest amount of Cabernet Sauvignon. Ausone’s hallmark taste is omnipresent, with its elegance and passionate display of varietals. Yields are kept extremely low, producing a mere 1,500 cases, in the best vintages. Chateau Ausone is highly sought after; its prestige, and limited accessibility, has made this nearly mythical wine quite elusive on today’s market. When collectors look to Chateau Ausone, they may see its investment potential. Enthusiast may see an ethereal wine that should be celebrated with family and friends at the best of times. But, to the ones farming this historic and prestigious property, with purple hands that carefully tend to the vines and fruit, their eyes reflect pride, gratitude and good fortune. Two thousand years of cultivation in a prime ecosystem has not only placed Ausone in league with the greatest wines in the world, but also secured its place in history.