Château Ausone

Château Ausone: A Wine of Exception, 1er Grand Cru Classé A

Appellation: Saint-Émilion
Classification: 1er Grand Cru Classé A
Owner: Vauthier Family (managed by Alain Vauthier since 1997, with Pauline Vauthier since 2005)
Vineyard Area: 7 hectares
Soil Type: Limestone and clay-limestone
Grape Composition: 55% Cabernet Franc, 45% Merlot
Annual Production: About 15,000 to 18,000 bottles
Second Wine: Chapelle d'Ausone (4,000 to 10,000 bottles per year)

Château Ausone: The Unmatched Elegance of Saint-Émilion

Château Ausone, ranked among the most prestigious 1er Grand Cru Classé A of Saint-Émilion, embodies the epitome of fine Bordeaux wines. Located on a unique terroir in Saint-Émilion, this 7-hectare vineyard stands out for its limestone and clay-limestone soils, which are ideal for producing complex and refined wines.

Managed by Alain Vauthier since 1997, the estate has taken a new direction with the contribution of his daughter, Pauline Vauthier, who has been involved in winemaking since 2005. The wine’s style has been refined over the years, with a more focused approach and a gradual reduction in the use of new barrels (from 100% to 85%). This decision highlights the natural brightness of the fruit, offering wine lovers a product of great purity and precision.

Limited Production, Rich and Intense Wine

Château Ausone produces on average only 15,000 to 18,000 bottles per year, an extremely small volume that contributes to the rarity and exclusivity of this legendary wine. Each bottle expresses the unique character of its terroir and grape varieties, with a blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot. This subtle marriage offers exceptional aromatic complexity, where notes of black fruit, spices, and flowers blend with a solid and elegant tannic structure.

Lovers of powerful yet elegant wines will appreciate the aging potential of Château Ausone, which matures beautifully over several decades. Thanks to its fine tannins and well-integrated acidity, it reveals its full splendor over time.

The Second Wine: Chapelle d'Ausone

In addition to the grand vin, the estate produces a second remarkable wine: Chapelle d'Ausone. This wine is also crafted with the same care as the grand vin, with a limited production of 4,000 to 10,000 bottles per year, depending on the quality of the vintage.

Vinification and Terroir: The Secret to Excellence

The vineyard of Château Ausone benefits from an exceptional hillside terroir, where the vines, averaging 50 years old, draw their richness from limestone and clay soils. These soils allow excellent water retention and provide the grapes with an unparalleled concentration of aromas.

The winemaking process is carried out with artisanal precision, ensuring that each vintage faithfully reflects the terroir and the climatic conditions of the year. The meticulous approach to fermentation and barrel aging (partly in new barrels) preserves the intensity of the fruit while adding subtle touches of toasted oak.

Wine Characteristics: Recent Château Ausone Vintages

The latest vintages of Château Ausone stand out as some of the most intoxicating in Saint-Émilion. The reduction in the percentage of new barrels used for aging helps to preserve the freshness and brilliance of the fruit, while offering intense aromas of red fruits, licorice, and tobacco. This powerful and highly aromatic wine, with floral and spicy notes, honors its status as a 1er Grand Cru Classé A.

Food Pairing

To elevate the tasting experience of Château Ausone, it is recommended to pair it with rich and complex dishes. Here are some food pairing suggestions:

• Red meats: Roasted lamb, grilled ribeye steak
• Game: Venison, pheasant
• Aged cheeses: Comté, Saint-Nectaire
• Sauced dishes: Filet mignon with morels, wild boar stew

Its solid tannic structure and aromatic richness make it an ideal choice for dishes with pronounced flavors.

Why Choose Château Ausone?

1. An exceptional rarity: With limited production of 15,000 to 18,000 bottles, each bottle of Château Ausone is a true treasure for collectors and wine lovers.
2. A wine for aging: Château Ausone improves over time. Capable of aging for several decades, it offers an unforgettable sensory experience at every stage of its evolution.
3. Unmatched quality: Ranked 1er Grand Cru Classé A, it is among the most prestigious and sought-after wines in the world, offering a perfect balance of power, elegance, and complexity.
4. Family craftsmanship: The Vauthier family’s management ensures production that remains true to tradition while incorporating innovations that respect the terroir and the fruit.

Château Ausone FAQ

1. What makes Château Ausone so unique?
   Its exceptional terroir, rarity of production, and status as 1er Grand Cru Classé A place it among the most prestigious wines in the world.
2. How long can I keep a bottle of Château Ausone?
   Thanks to its tannic structure and balance, Château Ausone can be stored for up to 50 years or more under proper conditions.
3. What is the grape composition of Château Ausone?
   Château Ausone is composed of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot, which gives it its elegant structure and fruity, spicy aromas.
4. What is Château Ausone's annual production?
   On average, Château Ausone produces between 15,000 and 18,000 bottles each year, making it extremely rare and sought after.
5. What is Pauline Vauthier’s role in winemaking?
   Since 2005, Pauline Vauthier has been actively involved in winemaking, bringing a more compact style and reducing the percentage of new barrels, which highlights the fruit's brightness.
6. What is the difference between Château Ausone and its second wine, Chapelle d'Ausone?
   Chapelle d'Ausone is the estate's second wine, produced in smaller quantities but crafted with the same care as the grand vin. It is accessible at a younger age yet remains of remarkable quality.