Chateau Ausone - Chapelle d´Ausone 2023

JAMES SUCKLING: "Wow. This is really alluring, with multi-dimensional texture and length. Crisp and al-dente. It's medium- to full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins and crunchy, pure fruit. Salt comes through. 60% cabernet franc, 35% merlot and 5% cabernet sauvignon."

WEINWISSER: "Dicht verwobenes Bouquet, schwarze Johannisbeere, Estragon und Heidekraut. Am komplexen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, engmaschigem Tanninkorsett, balancierter Rasse und trainiertem Körper. Im konzentrierten langen Finale katapultiert sich der St.-Émilion nach vorne und endet mit tiefschürfender Terroirwürze, schwarzem Pfeffer und feinmehliger Adstringenz. Top-Leistung dieses Jahr – Bravo!"

VINUM: "Viel Cabernet-Würze in der Nase und mit Rasse und Präzision am Gaumen, mittlerer Körper, knackige Frucht, leichtfüssig, beschwingt, mit Frische und einer eindrücklichen Länge. Macht Lust auf den Grand Vin."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2023 Chapelle d’Ausone is a combination of two plots, plus some press wine. It has a deep garnet-purple color and after a little shaking the nose erupts with notes of wild strawberries, black raspberries, and wood smoke, followed by nuances of garrigue and fallen leaves, with a hint of iron ore. Medium-bodied, the palate vibrates with electric black and red berry layers, framed by fine-grained tannins and great tension, finishing long and shimmery. Impressive!"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Violets, roses, black raspberries, licorice, and cherry aromatics carry the perfume. On the palate, the wine is elegant, polished, sweet, and lively. The tannins are soft, the fruits are lifted, and creamy. There is a vibrance, and energy here with an understated approach this is perfect for the vintage. It is difficult to believe this is a second wine. The wine blends 60% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2028-2047."

DECANTER: "Green and red berry fruit on the nose, some ripe and unripe notes with clear cedar, liquorice and cinnamon tones. Juicy and so lively on the palate, fun and lifted, clear and crunchy cranberry - a touch of bitter, tannins are present but really soft - a tiny chewiness with real freshness and menthol lift at the end. Round and complete, maybe still little shy and oak impacted but this has a good style. Juicy and clean, light in a way, this isn't rich but it has nice depth all the same. 3.62pH."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Blumig, zart nach Hibiskus, frische rote Waldbeeren, duftiges Bukett. Schlank, rotbeerig, straffe Textur, lebendiger Säurebogen, mineralisch-salzig im Abgang, mittlere Länge, ein leichtfüßiger, delikater Speisenbegleiter."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A fresh, delicate bouquet of cassis, violet, iris, raspberries and mulberries introduces the 2023 Chapelle d'Ausone, a medium to full-bodied, concentrated and textured wine with a fleshy core of fruit structured around chalky tannins and a long, precise finish."