Chateau Ausone 2022

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Intensive Beerenfrucht, floral und mit Lakritze unterlegt, ein ungemein einnehmendes Bukett, sehr frisch und attraktiv. Saftig, rotbeerig, feine Süße, seidige, tragende Tannine, mineralisch und hochelegant, saliner Nachhall, ein feiner Wein mit großer Länge, sehr gutes Entwicklungspotenzial."

WEINWISSER: "50 % Cabernet Franc, 50 % Merlot, Lese des Merlots vom 05.-09. September, Lese Cabernet Franc vom 21.- 27. September, 30 hl/ha. Raffiniertes schwarzbeerig-würziges Bouquet, edle Cassiswürze, dunkles Edelholz, Walderdbeergelee, dominikanischer Tabak, Graphit und tasmanischer Bergpfeffer. Am kaskadenartigen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, stützender Rasse, engmaschigem Tanninkorsett, süß-salzigem Extrakt (sucre-salinité) und perfekt geformtem Athletenkörper. Im konzentrierten Finale schwarzbeerige Konturen, tiefgründige dunkle Mineralik gepaart mit edler Salznote. Ein großer Ausone, dieses Jahr die Nr. 3 in St.-Émilion hinter Cheval Blanc und Figeac. 2030 – 2065."

VINUM: "Verführerisch fruchtig und mineralisch; die absolute Klasse an Finesse, Frische, Dichte, Rasse, imposante und doch polierte Textur, nicht enden wollende Länge. Die Sublimierung des Ausone-Stils."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Mint, licorice, spice, incense, blackberries, black cherries, espresso, flowers, crushed stones, spice and cocoa create the attention seeking nose. There is intensity, richness, depth, and energy on the palate. The influence of crushed rocks, stones, and chalk is strong on the palate. The peppery edge to the powerful layers of fruit provide additional complexity, and lift to the dark fruits. The resilient finish coats your palate with layers of salty, dark, sweet, black, red and blue fruits that linger. The wine blends 50% Cabernet Franc with 50% Merlot.15% ABV, 3.57 pH. Harvesting took place September 5-9 for the Merlot and September 21-27 for the Cabernet Franc. Yields were 38 hectoliters per hectare. 1,600 cases were produced. Drink from 2030-2065."

JAMES SUCKLING: "This is really open with bright and flamboyant aromas of cassis and cherries. Blueberries. Some peaches as well. I don't remember a young Ausone like that. Full-bodied with flamboyant fruit and energy. Very fine tannins. They are there but you don't feel them. Supple but very fruity. And intensely fruity at the end."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The Grand Vin from this hallowed terroir is an even split of Cabernet Franc and Merlot that was fermented in wooden vats and will spend 20 months in new barrels. Its saturated purple hue is followed by an up-front, sexy, full-bodied Ausone offering a wealth of fruit as well as notes of black cherries, blueberries, chocolate, scorched earth, and an incredible sense of spring flowers. Concentrated and incredibly pure, with silky tannins on the palate, it has the texture and fruit to almost shine even now but should still evolve for 30 years or more."

DECANTER: "Quite intense nose, strongly perfumed and scented with purple flowers and a mix of red and black fruit. Fragrant with chocolate, tobacco, cedar, cinnamon, crushed stones and liquorice. Aromatically very inviting. Plush and sapid, tannins are ripe but the acidity gives it real tension so you get some intensity of texture and sharpness of fruit on the palate making it a bit serious and tense right now though with lovely detail and lots of precision in terms of tannins and fruit. Mouthwatering acidity is at the fore, really giving some zing and electricity to this while the crushed stones, liquorice and clove spice give the accents around the edges. Clear strength and concentration, such power underneath - you do feel the heat from the alcohol (15.4%!) but the acidity and soft mineral elements help keep the balance and frame though it’s not as demonstrably mineral as some years. Acidity does settle and this expands slowly - keeping the linearity and sense of focus but also giving hints to its power and ageability. Sculpted and well delivered, characterful and confident with long ageing potential. Long finish with graphite, pencil lead and toasted spices on the finish. 3.57pH 85% grand vin, 20,000 bottles. Harvest 5 and 9 September for Merlot, 21 and 27 September for Cabernet Franc. A yield of 38hl/ha. Potential upscore in bottle."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A blend of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Ausone unwinds in the glass with aromas of plums, raspberries and cherries complemented by hints of crushed mint and spices, framed by a lavish patina of creamy new oak. Full-bodied, layered and rather muscular, it's deep and concentrated, its vibrant core of fruit framed by a serious chassis of rich, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, saline finish. Given its imposing levels of structuring extract, it will require patience."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Unusually aromatic at this early stage. Complex floral and red- and dark-fruit notes. Uncompromisingly dense with plentiful but fine tannins. Smooth texture. No hard edges but firm and persistent. Plenty of potential."