Wulf Losee

9.5

Whoa! This is great! And it’s quite a value, too! This is better than some Bordeauxs that cost ten times what this costs. I don’t know how well it will hold up in 10 to 20 more years, but it’s very drinkable now.

Wet, cobblestones and wet leather on the nose. A hint of cassis on the front of the tongue. Medium tannic structure. Flinty high notes on the mid palate and on the finish. No low notes to balance out the high, but otherwise I’m happy with this wine. I’m giving it a 9.5 because it’s my ideal of what a Bordeaux should be. — 12 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

70% Merlot & 30% Cabernet Franc. Decanted 2 hours and enjoyed over the next 2 plus hours. Cork near new.

I have waited patiently nearly 20 yrs to enjoy this 2005. While it is delicious tonight, it still has not hit its precipice. Might be another 8-10 yrs for that.

This is the second wine of Chateau Ausone. If you are not familiar with this producer, if they redid the 1855 Classification, their first wine would most certainly be a first growth and at the very least a second growth.

I remember reading the first/original review of the 2005 Ausone from Robert Parker. It read, “if you are over the age of 55, you have to decide whether or not to buy this wine.” It went on to a glorious 💯 point review. However, that original review was taken down some months into it. Was it taken down at the behest of Chateau Ausone? The review was reworded to take out the over 55 age & anticipated drinking window of 2040-2080. Most of Chateau Ausone buyers are older, higher income. Would that drinking window prevent them from purchasing it as Chateau Ausone is not an inexpensive bottle price? Not for the younger incomes. Question for the ages but it inspired me to buy three bottles of their 05 Chapelle d’ Ausone.

About a yr ago, I had their 02 Chapelle d’ Ausone. Strangely, that night it showed better than this 05 tonight. The 02 vintage was not a lauded vintage. Yet on that night, the perfect time to open it. This 05 needs more cellaring time and will ultimately be a better wine in another 7-10 yrs.

The nose shows; beautiful, ripe, somewhat floral fruits that are; dark cherries, strawberries, cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, sweet blueberries and raspberry notes. Mid berry cola. steeped fruit tea, gently baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & beautiful vanillin, soft pepper, mix of dry & fresh herbs, tobacco, leather, graphite, volcanic ash, moist clays, limestone, amazing dark & red florals set is violets.

Medium plus resolved, powdery tannins. The palate glides with freshness and ripe, floral, juicy fruits that are; dark cherries, strawberries, cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, sweet blueberries and raspberry notes. There is no bite or a stringency, Mid berry cola, steeped fruit tea, gentle baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & beautiful vanillin, soft pepper, mix of dry & fresh herbs, excellent mid, dark spices w/ some palate heat, anise, dark chocolate baking bar, coco powder, tobacco, leather, graphite,, limestone/sandstone, dry crushed rocks, grey volcanic ash, rich, sweet forest floor w/ dry leaves, moist clays, limestone, soft cedar to sandalwood, amazing dark & red florals set is liquid violets, amazing rainfall acidity, still has firm structure/tension, well balanced, great length and a finish that is w/o end and long sets on dark, dry tannins, heated, dark spice florals, earth and tarriness.

Add two points in 7-10 yrs. I look forward to my next bottle then.

Photos of; Chateau Ausone and owner-Alain Vauthier. That short rootstock featured center is around 25+ yrs old. — 2 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2022 vintage. A nice surprise in a challenging vintage, and this is only the second wine! — 5 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This is the best red so far. Imagine perfectly ripe berries mixed with most amazing red floral bouquet, round, perfectly ripe berries acidity, elegance, balance, length and lands on gentle, moist herbs & a touch of tree sap. — 2 months ago

Dave

8.9

Apparently I've had this one other time, but I don't remember the poop smell. Maybe it's not the wine! 😳
Opened this last night and the merde was strong. Tonight, the nose is very pleasant on this cheapo Bordeaux. Tastes like dark berries, herbs, a little mint and sage. It's good considering the price!
Listening to Squirrel Nut Zippers — 3 months ago

Marta Jackowska

9.6

New Years Eve dinner - which red wine to drink?! 🤔
Finally settled on an old favorite - Paul Jaboulet Hermitage.
Did not disappoint - smooth, concentrated fruits, with a hint of earthy, charcoal, tobacco.
Nice way to end our wine drinking for 2025, here’s to more great wines in 2026! 🥂 — 4 months ago

with Neville

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Solid cuvée. Their entry level.

A bit sweet at 8g but Extra Brut in 375’s a little harder to come by. 65% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay and 3% Pinot Meunier. Base vintage 2020. Disgorged June 2024.

The mouth entry glides with rich, ripe; green apple, pineapple, white stone fruit, cherries, lemon pulp to meringue, lime zest, kiwi, tropical melons. Vanilla, caramel, cream, some yeast notes, toast, slivered almonds, crisp volcanic minerals with limestone, white spice that plunges into the palate with some heat, dry herb notes, chalk in bits & powder, saline, sea fossils, yellow flowers, white spring flower bouquet, crisp acidity with nice balance and a 90 second finish that long sets on spice & minerals.

In all my many travels to world wine regions during or just post harvest, the Clos De Goisses Pinot Noir fruit was absolutely the best…everything else, a fairly distance second. I ate 2-3 clusters.

Photos of: my visit to Philipponnat, 10/23. The Clos Des Goisses vineyard that strangely grows over their facility, the view of the Cote de Blancs from the Clos Des Goisses vineyard & entrance to their cellar. — 2 months ago

David Valenti

9.0

Smokey and fruity. Thick and rich, rather concentrated for a Gamay. — 3 months ago

JKT

9.0

Holding up very nicely since last time in 2021. Last one I think — 3 months ago

Ted

9.1

Fresh baked bread. Citrus notes. Beautiful bottle. — 4 months ago

with Jeni