Chateau Ausone 2021

WEINWISSER: "65 % Merlot, 35 % Merlot. Unglaublich tiefgründiges Bouquet, Sommertrüffel, dunkles Graphit, tasmanischer Bergpfeffer, dahinter schwarzbeerige Konturen, verführerischer Jasmin-Duft und Holundergelee. Am konzentrierten Gaumen seidige Textur, straff ausgerichtet, salziges Extrakt, engmaschiges Tanningerüst und ein Körper wie ein Modellathlet. Im energiegeladenen Finale, Wildkirsche, getrockneter Rosmarin, dunkle Mineralik und schwarze Oliven, jetzt kommt diese vibrierende Rasse dazu und der St. Émilion wird immer länger und länger. Eine beeindruckende Vorstellung, könnte in seiner perfekten Trinkreife die Maximalnote erreichen und ist für mich der Wein des Jahrgangs."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A blend of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot, the 2021 Ausone is a strong candidate for the title of wine of the vintage. Wafting from the glass with aromas of wild blueberries and raspberries mingled with rose petals, violets, exotic spices, vine smoke and blood orange, it's full-bodied, seamless and sensual, with a satiny attack that segues into a deep, layered mid-palate of breathtaking precision and intensity without weight. Built around bright acids and ultra-refined tannins and concluding with a resonant, perfumed finish, this profound young Ausone represents the essence of this great limestone terroir. I am not in the habit of drinking six-month-old Bordeaux cask samples, but this is one wine that would have sorely tempted me to make an exception to that rule if my appointment at the estate hadn't been one of the first of the day!"

VINUM: "Beindruckend vielschichtige, edle Aromatik von Beeren, Kräutern, Blumen, Gewürzen; im Mund von besonderer Mineralität und ausgesuchter Delikatesse, doch auch von grosser Länge, nicht vordergründig voluminös, sondern sehnig und doch subtil."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, tiefer Kern, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Kräuterwürzig, tabakig, rotbeerige Nuancen, ein Hauch von Ribiseln und Kirschen, feine Noten von Orangenzesten. Saftiger, mittelgewichtiger Körper, feine rote Frucht, gut integrierte, perfekt gereifte Tannine, delikat und frisch, Johannisbeeren im Abgang, mineralisch, zart salzig, verfügt über eine sehr gute Länge, Limetten im Finale."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Underbrush, smoke, cigar wrapper, espresso, spice, dark cocoa, flowers, and the strong sensation of crushed rocks and stones tossed into the Atlantic ocean create the enticing bouquet. On the palate, the wine is medium/full-bodied, elegant, polished, and chalky with layers of sweet, ripe, earthy, red pit fruits, salty tannins, herbs dark chocolate. There is length, minerality, and complexity on the mid-palate and a vibrancy to the red fruits with a strong crushed rock influence in the finish. This is a serious candidate for the wine of the vintage. Made from a blend of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot,12.8% ABV, pH 3.6. The harvest took place from September 30 - October 6. The yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare. Only 1,200 cases were produced this year. Drink from 2028-2065. 96-98"

JAMES SUCKLING: "Full-bodied, but so elegant and fresh, with a silky, elegant tannin texture. Very deep and expansive. Lots going on already with plenty of perfume. Blueberries, cloves, lavender and some wild-berry notes. Dark cocoa, too. Some espresso character at the end. Wonderful interplay of spices and fruit. Long. It keeps going."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 65% Cabernet Franc, harvested 4-6 October, and 35% Merlot, harvested on 30 September, the 2021 Ausone is deep purple-black colored. The nose absolutely pops with bright, super-fresh notes of redcurrants, juicy raspberries, blackberries, and violets, plus suggestions of plums, baking spices, lavender, and tar with a touch of pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, the palate has a concentrated, well-sustained mid-palate of electrically charged red berry layers with loads of mineral accents and fine-grained tannins, delivering incredible tension and energy on the long, energetic vintage. This is an absolute triumph in this vintage."

DECANTER: "Vibrant red berry notes on the nose, fragranced damson, blueberry, plum, some wild flower and dried flower touches. Smooth and so silky on the palate, round and gently mouth filling with graphite edges that appear almost straight away. You get that nuance of wet stone and chalk but so well balanced with charming, juicy cherry and blackcurrant fruit on the palate. So perfectly smooth and balanced, silky tannins give the powdery finish while the well-balanced acidity gives the energy underneath. It’s incredibly captivating because you get these waves of flavour and a gentle lick of stone that reminds you you're in St-Emilion on pure limestone. Such verticality and an aerial quality to this with flavours that continue to lift the entire way through. Sustained but graceful with a shy sense of power. Brilliant winemaking for the vintage."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "65% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot. Cask sample. Deep crimson hue. Fragrant and floral on both nose and palate. More aromatic than usual at this stage. Density and freshness through the mid palate, the fruit juicy, the tannins plentiful but very fine. Plenty of elegance and charm but there is power as well. (JL)"