2021 Château Ausone Chapelle d'Ausone

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Description

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Winery Château Ausone

Château Ausone is among Saint-Émilion's finest vineyards, renowned for its unique location on steep limestone slopes just outside the historic center. Run by the Vauthier family, the estate is synonymous with precision, low yields, and a distinctly terroir-driven style. Chapelle d'Ausone, the château's second wine, is made with the same care and attention, but with a more accessible profile and a slightly earlier drinking window.

More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.

Saint-Émilion and the 2021 vintage

Saint-Émilion boasts a wide variety of soils, with limestone being among the most prized. These soils impart freshness, tension, and a mineral undertone to the wines.

The 2021 vintage was cool and demanding, with a long aging period and lower alcohol levels. For Ausone, this resulted in wines with bright fruit, fresh acidity, and classic balance. The 2021 style is restrained and precise, with more emphasis on finesse than power.

Vineyards and origins of Chapelle d'Ausone

The grapes for Chapelle d'Ausone come from the same chalky slopes as the Grand Vin. In 2021, all the Merlot was selected for Ausone itself, making Chapelle d'Ausone entirely based on Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

This composition emphasises the mineral and fresh character of the wine and gives Chapelle d'Ausone a distinctly precise and linear style in this vintage.

Grape varieties and composition

The 2021 Chapelle d'Ausone is composed of 75% Cabernet Franc and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc provides floral notes, tension, and elegance, while Cabernet Sauvignon adds structure and depth.

The absence of Merlot is exceptional for Saint-Émilion and underlines the cool and classic character of this vintage.

Harvest and vinification

The harvest was carried out with great precision to combine aromatic ripeness with freshness. After arriving in the cellar, the grapes were carefully vinified with a gentle extraction.

The wine was aged in oak, with the wood used supporting the wine and focusing on purity and texture. This resulted in a wine with powdery tannins and a bright, mineral profile.

Color, smell and taste

In the glass, the wine displays a bright ruby red color. The nose is refined and expressive, with aromas of cherry, red currant, and licorice, complemented by floral notes of violet and sage, and a subtle hint of vanilla.

On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, with a clean and precise structure. The tannins are fine and powdery, while fresh acidity provides tension and length. The finish is mineral, elegant, and refined.

Structure, style and drinking window

The 2021 Chapelle d'Ausone is built on finesse and balance. The style is light and precise, with a clear focus on terroir expression.

Within its drinking window, the wine will further enhance its harmony while retaining its freshness and precision. This makes Chapelle d'Ausone attractive for both early consumption and medium-term aging.

Summary of professional reviews

William Kelley rates the 2021 Chapelle d'Ausone 91 points, praising its purity, refined tannins, and mineral finish, noting the absence of Merlot as a notable characteristic. James Suckling awards it 94 points, highlighting the wine's floral aromas, soft texture, and elegance. Antonio Galloni rates the wine 92 points, describing it as a Saint-Émilion with exceptional precision, fresh acidity, and a red fruit core that will develop beautifully in the coming years. The full review texts can be found in the Professional Reviews tab.

Would you like to order Château Ausone wines online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you this information when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.

Wine and food pairings

Pheasant breast with roasted carrot and thyme complements the refined structure and floral notes.

Roasted quail with lemon and sage complements the wine's fresh acidity and precision.

Grilled celeriac with hazelnut and parsley works beautifully with the mineral character.

Veal fillet with a light jus and white pepper combines beautifully with the powdery tannins.

Ravioli filled with ricotta, lemon zest and fresh herbs matches the elegance and freshness.

Soft sheep's cheese such as Ossau-Iraty offers a subtle and harmonious contrast.

Specifications

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Packing information Case
Type of Wine Red
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Appellation Saint-Emilion
Winery Chateau Ausone
Grape Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Biological certified No
Natural wine No
Vegan No
Vintage 2021
Drinking as of 2025
Drinking till 2046
Alcohol % 13.5
Alcohol free/low No
Content 0.75 ltr
Oak aging Yes
Sparkling No
Dessert wine No
Closure Cork
Parker rating 91
James Suckling rating 94
Vinous rating 92
Tasting Profiles Aards, Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Mineraal, Rood fruit, Tannines
Drink moments Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard

Professional Reviews

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Parker

91

James Suckling

94

Vinous

92

Wijnhuis

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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.

Attachments

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