Chateau Ausone

Chateau Ausone is one of only two Premier Grand Cru Classe A properties in St Emilion along with Chateau Cheval Blanc. Ausone; like many other Bordeaux estates, bears the name of key a historical figure, helping to bring the history of Bordeaux to life. Ausone is named after Ausonius; an academic who purchased St Emilion vineyards and who was born in Bordeaux somewhere around AD310!

There are only 7 hectares of vines, which importantly, are positioned in a suntrap, an amphitheatre of vines protected from frost. The vines have a good age, nearing half a century on average, and are 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot. The very best barrels will go into Chateau Ausone, the grand vin, and some will be deselected for the estate's second wine, Chapelle d'Ausone.

Overall the production is a little over 2000 cases, and limited quantities with supreme quality are two obvious features that have pushed Ausone prices into the stratosphere, putting even the left bank First Growths to shame. This is a very special wine indeed, the estate; which is owned by Alain Vauthier, does not exhibit the same grandeur and luxury that can be seen on the Left Bank but the quality is second to none. Wine simply does not get much better than this...