Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Precheval troigoss — 6 days ago

Lauren Golanty

8.9

Kyle liked more than me - the tannins made me a little headachy. — 3 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. — 4 months ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.3

Great second wine here. Yes probably too young but with 2 hours in the decanter this was singing. In another couple of years 94. Super wine — 6 months ago

Måns Nilback

9.7

Bra till fin middag. — 8 months ago

Phil Blum

9.3

Great minerality. Exactly what it should be. — 9 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2022 vintage. A nice surprise in a challenging vintage, and this is only the second wine! — 2 months ago

"Odedi"

9.0

Dark ruby/ purple in color with a short reddish rim.

Fruit nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing red cherries, currants, plums, chocolates, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, peppercorn and licorice.

Short finish with grippy tannins and tart cranberries.

This is a very young Single Vineyard Mourvedre from Bandol. Rich, complex and powerful.

In your face kind of wine, and not very approachable right now, but showing good potential.

Needs a long time to open up, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years.

Better with food at this point.

A blend of 92% Mourvedre and 8% Grenache. Aged in large French oak barrels.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$40. — 3 months ago

Tim O’Brien

9.0

Côtes du Rhône at La boheme for vday - 60% Grenache 40% Syrah — 4 months ago

David Valenti

9.0

Smokey and fruity. Thick and rich, rather concentrated for a Gamay. — 5 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 — 5 months ago

Elle Cantrell

9.3

Crisp, sweet without being overpowering. Notes of strawberry — 7 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Drinking beautifully! There’s a cool pine resin note that was very intriguing. Paired with Miyazaki Wagyu. — 8 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. — 2 months 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. — 4 months ago

Jan A

9.1

This falls in the category of excellent qpr. At roughly 10€, this a solid everyday drinker. Full bodied, good fruit and mouth watering acidity. Championed by Jeb Dunnuck who consistently gives this 95 points. Recommended. — 4 months ago

Matthew Davis

8.9

Really floral on the nose- rose bushes? Maybe some saltiness too. Minerality on the palate but also cherries, floral, a bit more savory than fruity. Some acidity and medium body. — 5 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! 🥂 — 6 months ago

with Neville

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Château Haut-Bages Libéral – Red blend – 2022
Pauillac AOC – Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
Left Bank classicism meets modern precision. A Cabernet-dominant blend at 87% and 13% Merlot that showcases Pauillac’s hallmark structure wrapped in surprising elegance. Certified organic and biodynamic, made by Claire Villars-Lurton, one of the leading women in Bordeaux.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, graphite, cedar, plum skin, and violets with subtle tobacco leaf, pencil shavings, and cocoa. Young, fresh, and layered.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with refined tannins, balanced acidity, and a polished, seamless texture. Harmonious and structured with a delicious, lingering finish.

Food Pairings
Roast lamb, ribeye, duck breast, mushroom ragù, or aged Comté.

Verdict
A beautifully balanced, terroir-driven Pauillac that delivers finesse without sacrificing power. Delicious now, but built to evolve gracefully.

Did You Know?
Château Haut-Bages Libéral is a Fifth Growth from the 1855 Classification, situated next on to Château Latour. The “Libéral” family were 18th-century négociants who selected some of Pauillac’s best parcels, many still form the estate today. — 7 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

This is a superstar wine in 22 and now 23. They also could not be more different. Stunning nose of ripe mid to late season cherry and a hit of kirsch. Stunning fruit clarity. Gorgeous stoniness and elegant herbs. Terrific tiny berry fruit intensity. Elite finesse and shows the silkiness of this brilliant site. The tannins are stoney and big but ripe and sweet. This doesn’t have the decadence of the 2022. Great freshness and has that chord progression fruit that is a signature of 2023. Unreal silkiness. Gorgeous wine but will be better with a few more hours of air. Oh it’s getting opulent like this site does and wow the energy is off the charts. Tannins melting into fruit. After 5-6 hours this is just insane. The energy of 23 and the opulence of 22. Genius!
— 10 months ago