Ausone 2019

St Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé A

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Tasting Notes

The 2019 Ausone has a perfumed nose with another Cabernet Franc-driven set of aromas, gravel and loam infusing the black fruit. Wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a beautifully sculpted wine with a killer line of acidity and immense precision on the finish. This just sashays along with style. Fabulous. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.

Score: 98

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2025-2060 01 February 2023

The 2019 Ausone was picked September 20-27 for the Merlot and October 3, 5 and 7 for the Cabernet Franc, then matured for 20 months in new French oak with light toasting. This is very refined and focused on the nose, less opulent compared to recent vintages, and very sophisticated, with hints of Montecristo cigar interwoven through the red fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine but quite firm tannins that frame the lightly spiced black fruit. Touches of pencil lead and white pepper appear toward the prolonged finish. This very composed Ausone might actually drink earlier than other vintages but unequivocally has the substance to age with grace in bottle. There is an abiding sense of completeness here.

Score: 99

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2026 - 2066 01 February 2022

Unwinding in the glass with deep aromas of wild berries, vine smoke, orange rind, exotic spices and violets, framed by a deft application of classy new oak, the 2019 Ausone is full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with beautiful purity of fruit, lively acids and ripe but abundant structuring tannins. Deep, layered and vibrant, it's full of potential and will likely emerge as one of the most long-lived 2019s. This is another magical wine from what many consider to be Saint-Émilion's greatest terroir, and it will demand and richly reward patience.

Score: 98

William Kelley, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2029 - 2065 07 April 2022

The 2019 Ausone is a deep, statuesque Saint-Émilion that is at the beginning of what will surely be a very long, long life. Its vertical energy, stunning aromatics and persistence are all things of beauty, but it is the balance here that is so captivating. The acids and tannins are at once searing in their intensity and yet also totally woven into the wine's fabric. Ausone can be quite flattering in its youth. The 2019 is a wine that readers will have to wait for. I wouldn't dream of touching a bottle for a decade or more.

Score: 98

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2034 - 2069 01 February 2022

Like a bouquet of fresh flowers on the nose, as well as blackberries, raspberries and blackcurrants. Sandalwood as well. Full-bodied with incredibly polished tannins that have the texture of the finest velvet. The palate is very fine, oriented with fabulously pure fruit and minerally and stone undertones at the finish. It’s so classical in nature. Essence of Ausone. 60% cabernet franc and 40% merlot. From organically grown grapes. Best after 2027.

Score: 100

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Maturity: 2027+ 16 January 2022

65% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot. Barrel sample. Compact, dense and structured but just a little austere at present. Fresh and lifted with a hint of tea and floral notes, depth of fruit and finely matted texture but everything reined in, the plentiful tannins subdued behind. But nothing in excess. Just a slow burner. Undoubted ageing potential.

Score: 17+

James Lawther MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2030-2050 20 June 2020