Ausone 2010

St Emilion, Premier Grand Cru Classé A

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Tasting Notes

The nose is so deep and almost endless with dried strawberries, blueberries, and incense. Citrus too. Some prunes. Full body, with chewy yet polished tannin quality and tension. Beautiful focus and balance with a richness and delicacy at the same time. Something almost Burgundian. It's the purity of fruit. 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot. Try in 2020.

Score: 98

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Maturity: 2020+ 04 February 2013

The 2010 Ausone struck me as another brilliant, potentially perfect wine, which should come as no shock to people who have been following Vauthier’s work over the last decade or more. Backward and intense, this wine offers up notes of crushed chalk/rock mineralilty interwoven with blueberry, black raspberry and cassis as well as some graphite and vanillin. It is incredibly rich but at the same time precise, fresh and vivacious. This is a super wine, but it will require enormous patience from its potential suitors. Forget it for a decade and drink it over the following 50+ years. (98+ Points)

Score: 98

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2023-2073+ 01 February 2013

Alain Vauthier’s wines have been so remarkable since he acquired full control of Ausone that readers probably feel I have thrown my critical wits away. However, the proof is in the tasting, and the 2010 Ausone is unquestionably extraordinary. There are 1,500 cases of this beauty, which exhibits an inky/blue/purple color as well as an exotic, seamless bouquet of incense, Asian spices, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. Full-bodied with a striking liqueur of minerality as well as a magical combination of complexity, substance and nobility, it reveals softer tannins than I expected for this vintage, so perhaps it will be more accessible in its youth than recent Ausone vintages have tended to be. It is another prodigious effort from Vauthier that should be drinkable in 6-8 years and keep for a half century.

Score: 98 - 100

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 04 May 2011

A soaring, complex nose of wild briar fruit, cassis, and chocolate. Exceptional texture of satin. The alcohol is slightly higher than 2009 but more integrated. Huge concentration, spice and warmth with tingling acidity.

Score: 95 - 98

Albany Vintners, - 28 April 2011

A blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot, picked between 5th and 15th October. The nose takes some coaxing from the glass; raspberry, a touch of Dorset plum, wild strawberry and with further aeration there are touches of orange rind developing. The palate is medium-bodied with silky smooth tannins, very focused, hints of dark chocolate on the entry, wonderful mineralité and poise towards the seamless finish with a creamy veneer. Long in the mouth, this is a sensual Ausone. Drink 2015- tasted March 2011.

Score: 93 - 95

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015+ 27 April 2011

26 hl/ha. Dark crimson with a bright crimson rim. Very serious nose - so different from the Chapelle! 55% Cabernet Franc, 45% Merlot. Lovely punch and scent on the nose and then real tight impact on the palate. Not the completeness of Pétrus but a very good vintage expression. Some warm berries triumph over terroir but this is sweet then tight and tough. Extremely youthful. Very drying on the end. Cabernet Franc has dominated since 2005. Very rich and exuberant overall. Vivacious and not too, too dry on the finish. Less exaggerated than some other recent vintages.

Score: 18 - 19

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2022-2040 14 April 2011

As pure as the '09 but a more emphatic structure. 55% Cabernet Franc in the blend. Fragrant fruit and floral nose. Dense, ripe fruit and an abundance of firm but finely knit tannins. Minerally freshness provides a classical edge. Great length and persistence. Huge ageing potential.

Score: 19 - 20

Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2022-2060 01 April 2011

Very sappy and intense, offering racy red licorice, red currant and violet notes, with nice taut acidity and a long, minerally finish. Combines power and austerity, with excellent drive. For those who like backbone in their wines.

Score: 94 - 97

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 31 March 2011