Appellations

Ausone 2022

St Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé A

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Tasting Notes

Hands down one of the wines of the vintage, shows power and depth coupled at every point with lift and grip, stretches out through the palate, slowly but surely delivering a tickle of spiced sage and saffron, with sappy blackcurrant and graphite. 100% new oak, harvest september 5 to 27, organic conversion, 54 years average vines, Vauthier family shows once again how well they judge construction and architecture. First year not officially a Premier Grand Cru Classé A, but they have kept the ranking off the label for a number of years, so no change on that level.

Score: 100 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2030-2050 Date: 06 March 2025

The 2022 Ausone, which was the earliest-picked ever on September 5 (although that is later than Cheval Blanc) has another very intense bouquet with layers of plush blackberry, blueberry, crushed violet and incense aromas that are beautifully entwined with the 100% new oak. Hints of blood orange emerge with a few minutes in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with silky tannins and perfectly pitched acidity. The slightly higher proportion of Cabernet Franc imparts a touch more pepperiness toward the finish. You can feel this on your tongue long after it has departed. There is a surfeit of freshness on the finish. This is an outstanding Ausone that can look forward to a very long future.

Score: 98 Neal Martin, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2030-2065 Date: 12 February 2025

Often a wine of allure, the 2022 Ausone is a brooding powerhouse. Dark-toned fruit, leather, cedar, espresso, dried herbs and chocolate offer palate-staining intensity and volume. I expect the 2022 will require many years to come together, as the tannins are imposing today. This rich, exotic Saint-Émilion needs time.

Score: 96 Antonio Galloni, Inside Bordeaux Maturity: 2032-2072 Date: 28 January 2025

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.

Score: 96 - 98 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Date: 05 October 2023

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.

Score: 94 - 96 William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Date: 28 April 2023

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.

Score: 97 - 98 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 13 April 2023