Wonderful aromas of dried berry and light black truffle. Full body, intense tannins and a long, flavorful finish. This shows backbone and depth. A blend of 60% merlot, 30% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon. Second wine of Ausone. Try in 2020. – jamessuckling.com, Feb 2014

The beautiful second wine is Alain Vauthier’s 2011 La Chapelle d’Ausone. It possesses a dense ruby/purple color along with the nobility, class, finesse, precision, purity and copious blue and black fruits intermixed with a floral component, good minerality, and a medium-bodied, intense, rich personality. Never heavy or over-bearing, this is a beauty. As I have written many times in the past, the Vauthiers are making a “second wine” that is greater than many of the outstanding wines produced at this estate in the 20th century. This wine should drink well for 15 or more years.

The Chapelle d’Ausone has an intense bouquet with vibrant, slightly dusty black fruit that are very well defined and develop intriguing earthy, almost graphite aromas with aeration. Leaving it in my glass over five minute is offers some gorgeous, yet subtle floral notes. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and a degree of composure and refinement. One feels that they could have easily tried to extract more from this wine but resisted temptation and consequently produced a better wine. Everything in its right place. – eRobertParker.com, May 2012

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. Drink 2018-2030 – jancisrobinson.com, Feb 2015

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. (JH)