Chateau Ausone 2015

WEINWISSER: "Der 2015er Ausone besteht aus jeweils 50 % Merlot und Cabernet Franc, gereift in 85 % neuen Fässern. Dunkle Farbe, massiv, lila, viskoser als der 2016er. Im Duft zeigt der 2015er deutlich mehr Cabernet-Frucht als der rundere 2016er. Würzig und offensiv, mit knackiger, kühler gehaltener Aromatik, tiefgründig und beeindruckend im Geruch. Satt und rassig am Gaumen, zeigt er sich sehr intensiv und unfassbar frisch, mit brillanter, bebender Säure, die ganz grossen Grip auf der Zunge besitzt. Extrem weit gefächert, mit feinkörnigen Gerbstoffen, wirkt er sehr animierend und voll. Dieser Ausone besitzt Energie ohne Ende, zeigt sich weicher als der leicht raue 2016er, saftet voll durch und besitzt eine knackige Frucht, die der Franzose als ‘croquant‘ bezeichnet. Bravo."

JEB DUNNUCK: "An utterly perfect wine from Alain Vauthier, the 2015 Château Ausone offers off the hook notes of crème de cassis, black raspberries, toasted spice and dried flowers, with more floral and mineral characteristics developing with time in the glass. Amazingly deep, full-bodied, pure and ethereally textured, with building density and tannin, it’s one of those wines that need to be tasted to be believed. Unfortunately, the production is minuscule (and expensive). A wine that will make your heart rate jump, give it 4-5 years of cellaring and I suspect it will keep for as long as you’d like to hang on to bottles. It’s a tour de force in wine and the wine of the vintage in 2015."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Is there a more consistent wine in Saint Emilion? Perhaps, but it is hard for me to think of any wine that produces wine at this high level of quality, vintage after vintage. 2015 continues that streak. This is what intensity is all about, on the nose and palate. Picture a bucket of insanely ripe black cherries, black plums and licorice squeezed over rocks and stones before it's placed into your glass, and well you get the idea. The purity of fruit, incredible level of concentration, silky tannins and a finish that stays on target for at least 60 seconds or longer is what you'll find here. The only issue is, you need to buy this for your kids, as it's going to take 20years or more to start showing its stuff. But, if you have the money and the time."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This magnificent wine brings together the great fruit of the vintage in a complex structure. The acidity, ripe tannins and power of this dense wine are enormous, as is its aging potential. With that acidity and tannic structure, and with the perfumes from the Cabernet Franc, this wine will evolve slowly and with a measured pace. Drink from 2028."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Composed of 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot aged in French oak barrels, 85% new, for 20 months, the 2015 Ausone features a deep garnet-purple color and comes bounding out of the glass with expressive plum preserves, wild blueberries and cherry pie aromas plus fragrant nuances of roses, licorice, Indian spices, baker’s chocolate, new leather and cedar chest plus a touch of underbrush. Big, rich, opulent and full-bodied in the mouth, it is laden with bold blue and black fruits, superbly supported by very firm, very finely grained tannins and wonderfully seamless freshness, finishing with long-lingering exotic spice hints."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Very intense and aromatic Ausone with rose petals, fresh herbs, dark berries and raspberries. Full body and great intensity and brightness. Purity and focus reminiscent of crushed grapes. Such beauty, greatness and elegance to this wine. Goes on for minutes. Needs four or five years to come completely together but so long and beautiful."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Broad, minty, Mouton? Fresh and racy with massive charge of tannins. Opulent but flowers and freshness too. Mints."

DECANTER: "50% each Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Suave texture but so much power behind. Fine, fragrant nose of pure berry fruit then real density and depth on the palate. Layered fruit and tannins but finely etched. Clean, long and persistent. Drinking Window 2025 - 2045"