A great value way to enjoy the precision and elegance of Ausone at a considerably lower price, this is a serious wine in its own right. Sultry, smoky fruit and mineral style. Really attractive with spice and perfume. Immediate sweetness of fruit, all carried by the tannins, wrapped around a juicy core of fantastic characterful fruit. So much vineyard character - wonderful. - April 2017

A blend of 56% Cabernet Franc, 22% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Chapelle d'Ausone sings of black raspberries, kirsch and plum preserves with hints of unsmoked cigars, pencil lead, lavender and chocolate box plus a waft of garrigue. Medium-bodied and fantastically elegant in the mouth, the red and black fruit layers are beautifully framed by firm yet fine-grained tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long and minerally.

The 2016 Chapelle d'Ausone has the highest proportion of Cabernet Franc at 56% this year, complemented by 22% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon. Matured in 80% new oak, it has a very floral, incense and rose petal-scented bouquet that blossoms from the glass. There is an underlying mineral vein here, but it may take a few years to come out. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, crisp acidity, cohesive with good backbone, with fine salinité on the finish. It is just a fabulous Deuxième Vin. - Wine Advocate #230, April 2017

A firm and silky red with lovely plum and berry character plus hints of wet earth and rose petals. Medium-bodied, very fine and wonderfully juicy. Another wine with finesse and length. - March 2017

One of the real standouts of the vintage, the 2016 Chapelle d'Ausone is mostly young vine Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, with a dollop of old-vine Merlot. Pliant, supple and inviting, the 2016 is flat-out delicious. Readers who can find the 2016 should not hesitate, as it is not really a second wine, but more of an accessible version of the Grand Vin. - vinous.com, April 2017

Very deep crimson. Round and polished. Very grown up and glossy. Lots of drive and ripe fruit. Long and luscious. Difficult to see what is wrong with this. Except it's a little dry on the end. Drink 2024-2038. - jancisrobinson.com, April 2017