2012 Chateau Ausone Saint Emilion

Pro Reviews

Wine Spectactor (WS)

Bright, deep ruby. Profound aromas of strawberry, blueberry, fresh herbs, mocha and vanilla. Then deep, dense and suave, with noteworthy clarity to the red and dark fruit flavors. The finish is long and pure, with polished tannins and just a trace of greenness, probably due to all that cabernet franc in the blend. Still, the measure of this wine’s greatness and proprietor Alain Vauthier’s talent is that he has come up with such an impressive effort in a year when weather conditions were more than difficult for cabernet franc. The merlot was harvested between October 9 and 12 and the cabernet franc on October 13, 15, and 17.

Wine Advocate (WA)

The 2012 Ausone is another prodigious effort that should turn out to be one of the longest-lived wines of the vintage. It boasts a dense purple color along with abundant notes of mulberries, black currants, blueberries and a hint of raspberries interwoven with spring flower and crushed chalk-like characteristics presented in a full-bodied yet ethereal, stylish, racy, noble manner. This is a high class, aristocratic, nearly perfect wine to cellar for a decade and then watch it unfold over the following 40-50 years.