Very inky color. Intense aromas of black licorice, currants, berries, minerals and citrus. Hints of smoky wood. Full-bodied and superconcentrated, with layers of ripe fruit and supervelvety tannins. Goes on and on. Very complex with amazing concentration. I am glad I was sitting down when I tasted this. Blockbuster. Massive. Score range: 95-100
Drinking Window: 2013 - 2044
Review Date: 30th June 2004
Amazing! The limestone soils of Ausone appear to have been the perfect foil for resisting the extreme heat and drought of June, July and August, 2003. This black/purple-colored effort boasts a glorious nose of violets, truffles, lead pencil shavings, blueberry and blackberry liqueur. Full-bodied with staggering concentration, a voluptuous texture, low acidity and well-integrated, melted tannins, this deep, multidimensional, profound Bordeaux is beginning to drink exceptionally well. It should continue to do so for another two decades or more.
Drinking Window: 2014 - 2034
Reviewer Name: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Review Date: 28th August 2014
Full blue-tinged ruby color. Vibrant, austere aromas of blackberry, blueberry, bitter cherry, licorice, minerals and mint. Penetrating and powerful, with strong acids contributing to the wine's muscularity. Not yet especially fleshy or sweet, but this has superb energy in the mouth, and the structure to carry it through decades of development in bottle. Notes of dark berries, graphite and licorice. The huge, expanding finish features powerful, medicinal but noble tannins that avoid dryness. A testament to the high quality achievable in 2003 by cabernet franc grown on chalk.
Drinking Window: 2013 - 2044
Review Date: 1st May 2004
- Details
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- Year 2003
- Colour Red
- Country France
- Region Bordeaux
- Sub Region Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
- Designation
- Classification
- Pack Size 12x75cl
- Drinking Window 2014 - 2044
- Drinking Recommendation Drinking Now, will improve
- LWIN 100620520031200750
- Reviews (3)
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95-100 Wine Spectator
Very inky color. Intense aromas of black licorice, currants, berries, minerals and citrus. Hints of smoky wood. Full-bodied and superconcentrated, with layers of ripe fruit and supervelvety tannins. Goes on and on. Very complex with amazing concentration. I am glad I was sitting down when I tasted this. Blockbuster. Massive. Score range: 95-100
Drinking Window: 2013 - 2044
Review Date: 30th June 2004
100 Wine AdvocateAmazing! The limestone soils of Ausone appear to have been the perfect foil for resisting the extreme heat and drought of June, July and August, 2003. This black/purple-colored effort boasts a glorious nose of violets, truffles, lead pencil shavings, blueberry and blackberry liqueur. Full-bodied with staggering concentration, a voluptuous texture, low acidity and well-integrated, melted tannins, this deep, multidimensional, profound Bordeaux is beginning to drink exceptionally well. It should continue to do so for another two decades or more.
Drinking Window: 2014 - 2034
Reviewer Name: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Review Date: 28th August 2014
93-97 Stephen Tanzer - VinousFull blue-tinged ruby color. Vibrant, austere aromas of blackberry, blueberry, bitter cherry, licorice, minerals and mint. Penetrating and powerful, with strong acids contributing to the wine's muscularity. Not yet especially fleshy or sweet, but this has superb energy in the mouth, and the structure to carry it through decades of development in bottle. Notes of dark berries, graphite and licorice. The huge, expanding finish features powerful, medicinal but noble tannins that avoid dryness. A testament to the high quality achievable in 2003 by cabernet franc grown on chalk.
Drinking Window: 2013 - 2044
Review Date: 1st May 2004
- Producer
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Château Ausone vies with Cheval-Blanc to be Saint-Émilion’s most prestigious estate. Named after the Roman poet Ausonius who once resided in this area, Ausone is one of four Premier Grand Cru Classé (A) wines in the classification of Saint-Émilion (along with Angélus, Cheval Blanc and Pavie). Only three families have ever owned Ausone, and Alain Vauthier (who manages Ausone with his daughter Pauline today) are direct descendants of the c17th owners. The tiny 7ha vineyard of Ausone is 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot and is located at the southern edge of Saint-Émilion atop a steep south-facing slope. The steep, hillside terroir is clay with limestone and limestone over Asteria limestone in the soil. This is what gives Ausone its intense mineral character. Ausone has some of the oldest vines in Saint-Émilion. There are Cabernet Franc vines that are more than 100 years of age (planted 1906).
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Ausone
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