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. — a month 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. — 3 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2022 vintage. A nice surprise in a challenging vintage, and this is only the second wine! — 19 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. — 3 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. — 3 months ago

David Valenti

9.0

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

Lauren Golanty

8.9

Kyle liked more than me - the tannins made me a little headachy. — a month 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. — 2 months ago

Tim O’Brien

9.0

Côtes du Rhône at La boheme for vday - 60% Grenache 40% Syrah — 3 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. — 3 months ago