{"product_id":"chateau-ausone-2020","title":"Château Ausone 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWilliam Kelly, Robert Parker, April 2023 - 95+P:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA blend of equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot, the 2020 Ausone wafts from the glass with aromas of dark berries and cherries mingled with notions of incense, spices and raw cocoa framed by a creamy patina of new oak. Medium to full-bodied, layered and seamless, it's pure and concentrated, with a sweet core of fruit, generously extracted tannins and a vanillin-inflected finish. Less seamless and sensual than the lovely 2019, it will require some patience to come together, but there is no mistaking the quality of the terroir here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sc-jMZVPV jBWMMx\"\u003eOne of Bordeaux's greatest terroirs, perched on the edge of Saint-Émilion's limestone escarpment, Ausone comprises vineyards on the slopes (of which one, \"Le Poirier,\" situated directly below the château, supplies the core of the assemblage) and on the walled terraces that cling to the top of the plateau. It's a sheltered mesoclimate, planted predominantly with Cabernet Franc, with at most 1.2 meters of clay above the rock. The vineyards are old, and when missing vines have been replaced, the replacements are tagged and harvested separately. In the winery, the fruit ferments in wooden vats with twice-daily délestages (rack-and-return) until alcoholic fermentation begins to subside, at which point the cap is simply moistened until the moment of décuvage and pressing. Maturation follows, in a cool former quarry hewn from the limestone, in entirely new barrels (mainly from Taransaud and Demptos) and lasts for some 20 months. The results are invariably compelling, but the 2020 is rather more overtly defined by extraction and élevage than its 2019\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNeil Martin, Vinous, January 2024 - 98P:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2020 Ausone has a very crisp and precise bouquet, with a mixture of red and black fruit, crushed stone, black truffle and cedar that gains intensity in the glass. Medium in body, the palate is composed and refined with fine tannins. A taut yet brilliantly defined, pixelated finish goes on and on and on. This is one of the Vauthiers' finest wines in recent years. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGeneral information:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChâteau Ausone is one of the most prestigious wine estates in Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, with a history dating back to Roman times. The estate takes its name from the Roman poet Decimius Magnus Ausonius, who owned about 100 acres of vineyards in the area during the 4th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocation and Terroir:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe estate is perched on the western edge of Saint-Émilion, featuring elevated vineyards facing south on steep terraces. The vineyard spans just over 7 hectares, making it one of the smallest premier estates in Bordeaux. The exceptional terroir combines a unique mixture of sand and clay on limestone, with the vineyards benefiting from ideal drainage and protection from extreme weather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard and Production\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape Composition:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- 50% Cabernet Franc\u003cbr\u003e- 50% Merlot\u003cbr\u003e- Planting density: 6,500 vines per hectare\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnnual production is extremely limited, averaging only about 2,000 cases between both their grand vin and second wine, Chapelle d'Ausone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOwnership and Management\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Vauthier family has been involved with the estate since 1690. Currently, Alain Vauthier and his daughter Pauline manage the property. The estate employs a combination of traditional and modern techniques, including methods inspired by organic and biodynamic processes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWine Characteristics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAusone wines are known for their:\u003cbr\u003e- Delicate and structured nose\u003cbr\u003e- Rich concentrations of exotic fruit\u003cbr\u003e- Long finish\u003cbr\u003e- Exceptional aging potential\u003cbr\u003e- Strong minerality from limestone deposits\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wines require significant aging, with good vintages continuing to improve for decades. Due to its limited production and exceptional quality, Château Ausone has become one of the most sought-after Saint-Émilion wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClassification:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChâteau Ausone's classification status has undergone significant recent changes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Classification\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom 1955 until 2021, Château Ausone held the prestigious Premier Grand Cru Classé \"A\" status in Saint-Émilion, representing the highest level of classification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCurrent Status\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs of 2022, Château Ausone no longer participates in the Saint-Émilion classification system. Starting with the 2022 vintage, their labels only mention \"Saint-Émilion Grand Cru\" without any classification status.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReason for Withdrawal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe estate withdrew from the classification system in 2022 due to:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Concerns about the evaluation criteria moving away from emphasis on terroir and wine quality\u003cbr\u003e- Disagreement with the short 10-year re-evaluation period\u003cbr\u003e- Issues with the increasing focus on marketing and tourism rather than wine quality\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis decision was made independently but coincided with similar withdrawals by other prestigious estates like Château Cheval Blanc. The withdrawal is not expected to impact Ausone's reputation or market position, as their prestige extends beyond the classification system.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Château Ausone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50501094834442,"sku":"HSS567","price":6400.0,"currency_code":"DKK","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0706\/9273\/3194\/files\/Ausone_f03dd7b4-bad5-403f-853a-912c4e7d1b66.png?v=1735195071","url":"https:\/\/carlwandel.shop\/products\/chateau-ausone-2020","provider":"Carl Wandel \u0026 Søn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}