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. — 13 days ago

Peter Rosenfeld

9.2

Delicious 2014. Needed 1 hour to sing to us — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Many critics would say the 2002 vintage fell short, not here. In every difficult vintage, some producers still made a good wine. The 2nd wine of Chateau Ausone is amazing with the Ribcap.

21 years in bottle says, magic. I have had better Bordeaux but, not in some time.

The fruits on the nose & palate are gloriously Bordeaux ruby.

The palate entry glides. Heavenly; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, baked plum pudding, creamy raspberries, poached strawberries and a touch of pomegranate seeds. Dry & moist tobacco, sweet graphite, charcoal, dark, rich earth with leaves, dry herbs, very soft baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, the best dark spices I can remember, limestone, moist clay, crushed, dry rocks, hints of menthol/eucalyptus, dry twig, dry pebbles, withering to dry, dark, red flowers, liquid violets with a touch of red roses, near perfect acidity, balance, tension, elegance for days and a finish that last 90 seconds and falls on beautiful earth tones.

Happy Labor Day Weekend! — 6 months ago

Cody LaRocque

9.0

Found one of these bottles lying around from 1996 — 2 years ago

Thomas McKee

9.2

A very nice smooth wine with rich red fruit flavours and a long finish. Paired perfectly with the grilled tenderloins and risotto — 5 years ago

Michael Walker

9.9

PJW 6 pack for his visit - this is OTH, definitely some funk, Paul says wasn’t kept well, but great bones, it really grew on me as it opened - smoky, a bit of cobwebs, love it. Should seek out a ‘16 — 7 months ago

Andrea Watt

9.4

Leather, truffle, cinnamon, and plum. Dark, earthy and smooth. — a year ago

L Guerci

9.0

Wonderful duty free purchase — 2 years ago

Milos Milosevic

8.9

Nice one Light and not pretentious — 5 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

2012 vintage. Alexandre de Malet Roquefort (owner of Premier Grand Cru Classé La Gaffelière, Chapelle d'Aliénor Bordeaux Supérieur and co-owner of the tiny Pomerol estate La Connivence) bought this estate in 1999. In my experience his wines are very reliable and classic, elegant and never overextracted. This medium-bodied Saint-Emilion (90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon) is a solid effort for the vintage (that generally fared much better for Merlot than Cabernet Sauvignon). Strawberry fruit and very subtle oak, freshness and balance. Drinking well now, but I feel there is more room for improvement. A nice wine nearing maturity. The only "problem" is that for the price (21,9 euro) you can buy the delicious 2015 second wine of La Gaffelière. — 5 years ago