This is extremely open and aromatic, with exotic fruit. Extremely wild. Full body, firm, silky tannins and a long, focused finish. This is very persistent and long. A top wine for the vintage. Muscular and toned. The old vines of cabernet franc make the difference here. 55% cabernet franc and 45% merlot.

Its bigger sibling, the 2011 Ausone increases the level of intensity, elegance, complexity, richness and length. Nearly a mirror image of the La Chapelle, just with more going on, the Ausone boasts a more saturated purple color, and the wine has everything in large, intense proportions. The finesse and delicacy of all its components are what make it such a remarkable wine. The quality of the tannins and purity of the fruit make this another legendary effort that should age for 30-40 years. 95+ points – Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #212, April 2014)

Alain Vauthier's wines shone across the board. As discussed, Fonbel is a gem once again, and will provide bags of pleasure but moving up the range you see a dramatic increase in class and seniority, culminating in Ausone. Alluring and seductive, this wine really sang from the glass with its floral, summer fruit notes and a whiff of soy. Perfect balance and symmetry and no little intensity but with a deftness of touch which underpins the fame of the property. The finish is glorious; a long, intense streak of luscious sweet fruit, underpinned by a vibrant acidity. A real success and very fine.

The 2011 Ausone mirrored my sentiments from barrel. It feels lush and generous on the nose, practically ignoring the modest growing season, with raspberry and blueberry fruit, crushed violet and hints of cracked black pepper. It seems to ratchet up through the gears with continued aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin cloaked in layers of plush black fruit. It feels composed and focused although it does not quite deliver the persistence of the 2012. Of course, this is still very young but I suspect that it will not be the longest lived of recent vintages, preferring to give drinking pleasure over the next 12 to 15 years before leveling off. Tasted at a private dinner in Bordeaux.

Good bright, fully saturated ruby. Brooding, complex nose features raspberry, minerals, violet, cocoa, white pepper and sweet spices: very cabernet franc (55% of the blend). Then deep and complex on the palate too, with a wonderfully fine-grained texture given lift and razor-sharp definition by bright acidity and a white pepper nuance. Though the tannins are just a bit harder than usual for Ausone (a dead giveaway it's the 2011 vintage being tasted), this wine offers a sensational combination of density and finely delineated fruit. Finishes extremely long, with building tannins and outstanding finesse. Ian D'Agata

Ripe and dark and peppery. Chewy but finely textured. Savoury, really embryonic but lots of lovely dark fruit to fill out a taut, upright structure. Shows its class. – Julia Harding (jancisrobinson.com, Jan 2014)