Chateau Ausone (Winemaking, Best Wines 2024)
Want to be whisked away to the magical world of Chateau Ausone before you buy one?
Chateau Ausone lies on ancient Roman foundations at the edge of St Emilion.
The iconic winery produces exceptional wine and has been ranked as a Premier Grand Cru Classe A. It’s one of only four wines, alongside Chateau Cheval Blanc, Chateau Angelus, and Chateau Pavie to be ranked so in the Saint Émilion Classification.
This article will explore the rich history of the Chateau, and Ausone’s famed terroir and winemaking. We’ll also take a look at the investment potential of their Grand Cru wine and how to invest in it.
Further reading
- Want to expand your investment portfolio? Check out this comprehensive Guide On Wine Investment!
- Also find out which Bottles Of Champagne you should be serving to your guests in 2024. Don’t forget to use the right Champagne Glasses!
A Glance at Chateau Ausone
The Chateau Ausone wine estate was built upon the ruins of an ancient Roman villa in the Saint-Emilion appellation on the right bank of the Bordeaux wine region. It sits right at the edge of the UNESCO World Heritage medieval village with traditional cobbled streets and ornate buildings.
The estate is owned by Alain Vauthier and the Vauthier family and makes some of the most exotic wine in all of Bordeaux, France, on par with the likes of Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Petrus.
The annual production is very limited - less than 2000 cases - which also makes Ausone one of the most expensive Saint-Émilion wines!
Interestingly, Chateau Ausone gets its name from the Roman poet Ausonius, who is believed to have lived in a villa on the property during the 4th century.
Further Reading:
Fancy an elegant red wine? Find out which bottles of Malbec to buy in 2024 or explore all about wine from Barbera!
Chateau Ausone’s History
Chateau Ausone has always been family-owned and has belonged to three families over the past five centuries.
In the 1700s, the estate belonged to the Cantenat’s after which it moved to the Dubois family. Edouard Dubois died in the 1920s and his wife, Heylette Dubois-Challon, as well as his children from another marriage, inherited the Chateau.
Eduoard Dubois’ children had married into the Vauthier family, so Dubois-Challon and the Vautheir’s ran the wine estate together.
Though the Chateau managed to survive the harsh winter of 1956, it hit upon hard times until Pascal Delbeck was made head winemaker in the 1970s.
Though they were family, the Vauthiers and the Dubois-Challons did not always get along well.
In the 1990s, the Vauthier family bought out the estate and became the sole owner of Chateau Ausone. However, Heylette Dubois-Challon was granted permission to live at the Chateau until her death.
Alain Vauthier became the Chateau’s managing director and continues to run the estate with his daughter, Pauline Vauthier.
Besides its fascinating history, Chateau Ausone also has one of the best terroirs in Bordeaux.
Château Ausone’s Magical Terroir
The Chateau Ausone vineyard is relatively small - all of 7 hectares. However, the wine estate boasts of some of the best terroir in the Bordeaux region, overlapping a limestone plateau.
This vineyard estate in the Bordeaux region has a south-east exposure, giving it the advantage of both shade and sunshine.
The soil at Chateau Ausone is a mixture of clay and limestone. A portion of the estate is situated atop a dense subterranean of asteriated limestone, giving unique properties to the grapes.
Here’s a gist of the grapes planted and some unique facts about the vines:
- Grapes planted: The vineyard is planted predominantly with Cabernet Franc and Merlot, and small portions of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Vine density: The vineyard has very high vine density. Though it's only 7 hectares in size, the estate’s vine density ranges from 6,500 to 12,000 vines per hectare.
- Vine age: Chateau Ausone has some of the oldest vine plantings in the whole of the Saint-Emilion appellation. On average, the vines are 50 years old. Some of their Cabernet Franc vines are over a century old, with the oldest being planted in 1906.
- Yields: The Chateau has low yields, only about 33 hectolitres per hectare, ensuring that the wine is of high quality. The low yields are due to the high vine density, as well as green harvesting techniques.
Read more: Discover all you need to know about your favorite white wines. Here are the best guides on Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc around!
Now, the careful winemaking practices of the estate ensure that Chateau Ausone produces some of Bordeaux’s finest wines. Let’s take a look.
Chateau Ausone’s Wine and Winemaking
Michel Rolland, the celebrated French oenologist oversees the winemaking process at Chateau Ausone.
Chateau Ausone winemakers patiently allow the grapes to ripen at their own pace.
Stainless steel vats are used as holding tanks before the grapes are transferred to wooden vats. The wine first undergoes a cold maceration and then vinification in oak vats. Since 1995, malolactic fermentation has been done in oak barrels. The Grand Vin undergoes further aging for a minimum of two years in French oak barrels.
Apart from their exquisite Grand Vin, the Chateau also produces an exceptional second wine called La Chapelle d’Ausone. The second wine is made from younger vines that are being aged to produce the Grand Vin.
The Best Chateau Ausone Wine to Buy in 2024 (Including Taste, Prices)
We’ve picked out the best of the best Chateau Ausone bottles for you:
1. Chateau Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 1949
This Bordeaux wine is bold and fragrant, with aromas of blackberry, fresh red fruit, and a subtle minerality. The wine has well-balanced tannin levels and acidity, with a long and elegant finish. Pair this fine wine with a traditional Coq au vin.
Price of Château Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 1949: $2173
2. Chateau Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 1961
Here we have a rich and dry red wine with a complex nose and audacious flavors. This vintage has notes of black raspberry, licorice, and red fruit. It is smooth and supple with a filigree tannin taste that is astringent but adds complexity and depth to the wine.
Price of Chateau Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 1961: $1284
3. Chateau Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 2005
This Chateau Ausone wine takes a moment to open up, but after decanting, it has a perfume of black currants and truffle with flavors of red fruit. The wine’s color is a deep and vibrant burgundy - it is a true pleasure to drink.
Price of Chateau Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 2005: $1705
4. Chateau Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 2010
Here we have a fine wine with prominent notes of plum, tobacco, and black fruit. This bottle has strong tannin levels that add to the wine’s flavor and delicate but well-balanced acidity. Pair this vintage with Boeuf Bourguignon.
Price of Chateau Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 2010: $1457
5. La Chapelle d'Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 2005
The renowned wine critic Jeff Leve gave this vintage a rating of 95/100. It has a noticeable and pleasant minerality, with a filigree tannin taste, and a burgundy color.
This vintage has a palate of black currants, licorice, vanilla, and the freshness of black cherry. Pair this Bordeaux wine with a French Cassoulet.
Price of La Chapelle d'Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 2005: $278
6. La Chapelle d'Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 2010
This second wine is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety. It is bold and dry, with flavors of black fruit, smoke, and chocolate. Minerality is another distinct tasting note of this wine.
This bottle is a beautiful burgundy color, and it has bold tannin levels and acidity. This vintage is smooth, round, and well-structured.
Price of La Chapelle d'Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 2010: $292
7. La Chapelle d'Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 2015
Here we have a great wine that is full-bodied and firm, with a silky texture and a fragrant nose of vanilla, black cherry, oak, and the freshness of black raspberry. Pair this second wine with veal ragout.
Price of La Chapelle d'Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 2015: $240
8. La Chapelle d'Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 2017
In this great wine, you can taste all the Merlot and Cabernet Franc grape varieties have to offer, as well as the subtle undertones of Cabernet Sauvignon. This vintage has undertones of minerality with a palate of red fruit, truffle, and licorice.
Enjoy this young fine wine with Sole meunière or let the bottle age for at least 5 years to reach full maturity.
Price of La Chapelle d'Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 2017: $215
Investing in Chateau Ausone
Chateau Ausone has excellent aging potential and reaches peak maturity between 20 and 50 years.
Besides great aging potential, its solid reputation, a pedigree second to none, and high critics’ scores make Chateau Ausone a safe and stable investment option.
The 1980 vintage of Ausone’s Grand Vin increased in value from $467 to $577 in just under two years - a 24% increase.
12 bottles of the 2000 Chateau Ausone Grand Vin sold for a whopping $19,120 at a 2011 Heritage Auctions sale.
Some of the best vintages of Chateau Ausone to look out for are 1959, 1961, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2006, and 2008.
However, knowing which bottles to invest in can be tricky. That’s why we suggest getting a little help from the experts!
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Treat Yourself With a Bottle of Chateau Ausone
The history of Chateau Ausone is as rich and intricate as the wine. There is nothing quite like decanting a bottle of this fine wine, with the berry fragrance hitting your nose and tasting the intense flavor notes of licorice and oak on your palate!
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