Chapelle d'Ausone Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 / 13.5% / 0.75 L
- Chapelle d’Ausone Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2016 is the second wine of one of Bordeaux’s most prestigious châteaux, offering elegance and class in a more accessible form. It expresses the authentic character of Saint-Émilion’s limestone terroir.
Product description
Château Ausone is one of the finest and most legendary estates in Saint-Émilion, with a history dating back to Roman times.The name itself comes from the poet and philosopher Decimus Magnus Ausonius, who is said to have owned a villa and vineyard here as early as the 4th century CE.It is precisely this that gave rise to the aura of exclusivity surrounding the estate, which is still considered one of the most prestigious in all of Bordeaux.The vineyard is situated in a remarkable location on the steep slope of the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, where the vines take deep root in the chalky soil, giving the wines an unparalleled minerality and tension.The estate has been in the same family for centuries—it is currently managed by Pauline Vauthier, the daughter of Alain Vauthier, who is carrying on a centuries-old tradition.
Chapelle d’Ausone is the château’s second wine, produced from the same exceptional terroirs as its “big brother,” but from younger vines and portions of the vineyard set aside for a more approachable, yet still exceptionally refined style.This is not a “second-tier” wine, but a true showcase of Ausone’s craftsmanship, reflecting the character of the terroir and the family’s winemaking philosophy.The 2016 vintage was one of the best in Bordeaux in recent decades—favorable weather, a long and stable ripening period, and a perfect harvest resulted in a wine of exceptional balance, structure, and aging potential.
Appearance: a deep ruby color with garnet highlights, indicative of its youth and aging potential.
Aroma: an elegant bouquet in which notes of black currant, ripe plum, and blackberry intertwine with subtle hints of violets, graphite, wet rock, and gently toasted oak.
Taste: full-bodied, dense, and yet refined—distinct notes of black and red fruit are supported by lively acidity and velvety, fine-grained tannins; notes of spices, cedar, and elegant minerality are detectable, extending the long, harmonious finish.
Food pairings: andthe perfect wine for classic French dishes—roast lamb with herbs, tournedos Rossini, game in red wine sauce, or aged cheeses, especially Comté and Saint-Nectaire.