2017 Château Ausone

Château Ausone is a prestigious wine producer from Bordeaux, located in the Saint-Émilion appellation, on the right bank of the Gironde River.

History of Château Ausone

The history of Château Ausone goes back to Roman times. The estate is named after Ausonius, a Roman poet and statesman who owned the property in the 4th century AD. Ausonius is known for his work 'Mosella', a Latin poem describing the Moselle River and its surroundings. The building's association with this prominent figure adds to its historical significance. The estate was built on throughout the Middle Ages, with various owners overseeing its development. During this period, viticulture and winemaking practices evolved in the region, paving the way for Bordeaux to become one of the world's most sought-after wine-producing areas.

In the 16th century the building came into the hands of the Chatonnet family. In the 18th century, Château Ausone saw a significant expansion of its vineyards. During this period the estate's reputation grew and it became recognized as one of the most important estates in Saint-Émilion. The modern era of Château Ausone is closely linked to the Vauthier family. In 1997, Alain Vauthier took over the estate, and his daughter, Pauline Vauthier, later took over management with him. The Vauthier family's tenure brought a renewed focus on quality, precision and sustainable viticulture. Their commitment to excellence has contributed to Château Ausone's continued success in producing exceptional wines.

Production and terroir of Château Ausone

The vineyards of Château Ausone are located on the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, known for producing wines with exceptional finesse and aging potential. The estate's vineyard is relatively small in size, but is planted with a mix of grape varieties. Merlot and Cabernet Franc are the main grapes, with a higher percentage of Cabernet Franc in the blend, contributing to the unique character of Ausone's wines. The limestone soil and southern slopes of the vineyard play a crucial role in the production of high quality grapes. Château Ausone is known for its commitment to quality and meticulous vinification. The vineyards are carefully maintained and the grapes are harvested by hand to ensure the best possible fruit quality. The winemaking process involves a combination of traditional and modern techniques. The wines are typically aged in new French oak barrels to improve complexity and structure. Château Ausone produces only a limited amount of wine each year due to the small size of the vineyard. The Grand Vin, simply called Château Ausone, is considered one of the most exceptional and rare wines in Bordeaux. The estate also produces a second wine called Chapelle d'Ausone, which offers a more approachable and earlier drinking option.