Beth Novak

9.6

Pretty, bright, purity of fruit, sense of warm earth, beautiful structure, so textural, great balance. Power, a lot of time, yet so alluring now. — 3 days ago

Chris Buggy

8.9

Blackberry jam, smooth finish — 3 months ago

Christian Fischer

9.3

We thought this would give the Comtes a run for its money, it did not. Same year and we were all disappointed. Was it the year? The bottle? Something else? Something muffled the incredible flavor profile of this champagne - trying it again 2 hours later it was better, but still a far cry from the Comtes. We’ll have to try that again soon to determine whether we just had an off bottle — 3 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Precheval troigoss — 4 months ago

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. — 7 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2013 vintage. The second wine of La Chapelle, that is now named " Maison Bleue", but an excellent wine in its own right. At 9 years old this is absolutely gorgeous with an expressive nose of blackberries, wild flowers, pepper and leather, enhanced by a subtle smokiness. In the mouth it combines power with elegance, with pure fruit, subtle spices, silky tannins and great length. Terrific value if the mythical La Chappelle doesn't fit your budget. Abv. 13,5% — 4 years ago

Pete Schork

9.3

2015 st emilion never fails. A bit thin but subtle tannins and lovely Rosy/flowery finish — 5 years ago

Rob van Kalmthout

9.2

Great Beaujolais. Complex! Dark colour for a Beaujolais. Ripe fruit with a hint of kirsch. Excellent balance.. medium to long aftertaste — 6 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2020 vintage. The second wines of the Grands Crus have never been better, and they offer great value for money. Cassis, blackberries, violets and a hint of graphite. Juicy, fresh black fruits and ripe tannins. Very good value at 25 euro. Abv. 13%. Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (48%), and Petit Verdot (2%). — 2 months ago

Matt Konopka

9.0

Delicious strawberry and peach notes, and the nose, crisp light, pale pink color. 12.5% ABV, which is great for a summer drinker . — 4 months ago

Inseon Hwang

9.1

2016. Still feel young. — 5 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.5

Strawberries, black cherries, dark chocolate and truffles. Very powerful. Apparently it is aged in 100% new oak, which is often not the best idea,but in this one it's perfectly integrated. Very long finish. — 7 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Drinking beautifully! There’s a cool pine resin note that was very intriguing. Paired with Miyazaki Wagyu. — a year ago

Joe Weinberger

9.0

Not as pepper-driven as previous vintage I’ve tasted but still enjoyable and highly quaffable. — 4 years ago

William Brouwer

8.9

Our friend Brooke brought this over from Fresh Market. Nice Rose’. Refreshing. Soft on the palate. — 13 days ago

Matthew Cohen

9.4

Nose: sweet cherry. Old library.

Palate: sweet cherry. Really delicious. Balanced. Sort of boring on open.

As this opens starts to become savory.

Fass selections. . — 2 months ago

Ainsley

9.1

Elegant violet aromas. Beautifully structured and elegant tannins laced amongst dark fruit notes. Punches above its weight and price point for sure. Delicious find! — 4 months ago

Kurt Schuster

9.1

Went perfectly with seared lamb chops with a blue cheese, cream dressing and a side of rocket.  — 4 months ago

with Denise

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. — 8 months 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. — 8 months ago