Chateau AusoneProducer from Bordeaux, France

Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux

Château Ausone, one of the most prestigious estates in Saint-Émilion, is celebrated for producing wines of unparalleled finesse, complexity, and ageing potential. As a Premier Grand Cru Classé A, Château Ausone stands at the pinnacle of Bordeaux’s wine hierarchy, consistently delivering wines that are both elegant and powerful. With a history that dates back to Roman times and a unique terroir that favours Cabernet Franc, Château Ausone is a true legend in the world of fine wine.

History of Château Ausone

The history of Château Ausone is steeped in legend, with the estate believed to have been founded by the Roman poet Ausonius in the 4th century. Whether or not this is true, the estate’s vineyards have certainly been cultivated for over a thousand years, making it one of the oldest wine-producing properties in Bordeaux. The estate’s modern history begins in the 18th century when it was acquired by the Dubois-Challon family, who managed the estate for several generations.

In the 19th century, Château Ausone was recognized as one of the top estates in Saint-Émilion, and in the 1955 Saint-Émilion Classification, it was awarded the highest rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé A. This status has been maintained ever since, with the estate producing some of the most sought-after wines in the world.

Today, Château Ausone is managed by Alain Vauthier, who has continued to uphold the estate’s tradition of excellence while also implementing modern winemaking techniques. Under his stewardship, Ausone has maintained its reputation as one of Bordeaux’s greatest wines, known for its ability to age gracefully for decades.

The Terroir of Château Ausone

The terroir of Château Ausone is one of the estate’s most prized assets, contributing to the unique character and quality of its wines. The estate’s 7 hectares of vineyards are located on the steep limestone slopes of Saint-Émilion, where the soils are a mix of clay and limestone. This terroir, combined with the estate’s meticulous vineyard management, allows Château Ausone to produce wines that are both powerful and elegant, with a remarkable depth of flavour.

The vineyard is planted with 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot. This blend reflects the estate’s commitment to producing wines that are both structured and balanced, with Cabernet Franc providing tannic structure and aromatic complexity, and Merlot adding richness and roundness.

The unique combination of soils, exposure, and grape varieties allows Château Ausone to produce wines that are both intense and refined, with a remarkable ability to age gracefully over decades.

Winemaking at Château Ausone

Winemaking at Château Ausone is a meticulous process that combines tradition with innovation. The grapes are hand-harvested and sorted to ensure that only the finest fruit is used in the winemaking process. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, allowing for precise control over the extraction of flavours and tannins.

The wines are then aged in French oak barrels for 18 to 24 months, with about 85% to 100% new oak used each year. This ageing process enhances the wines' complexity and depth, allowing the tannins to soften and the flavours to integrate harmoniously. The result is a wine that is both approachable in its youth and capable of developing greater complexity and nuance over time.