1998 Saint-Émilion, Château Ausone
About Producer
When approaching Saint-Émilion from the south, the view of Ausone is breathtaking with its château and chapel perched on a promontory outside the medieval walls of the town. Ausone vineyard is only 7ha on a steep southeast-facing slope next to the ramparts, on limestone at the top of the slope, clay loam topsoil beneath it and sandier soil at the foot of the hill. Vines are on average 50 years old with some vines next to the chapel at 110 years old. The current owners, Alain Vauthier and his family, are descendants of the Chatonnet family who bought the estate in 1690. Since gaining sole control of the property in the mid-1990s, Alain Vauthier has spared neither expense nor painstaking efforts to make the best possible wine. With elder daughter Pauline, representing the 11th generation, working alongside her father since 2005, the future is bright.
Varietals
Blend of 50% cabernet franc and 50% merlot.
About Appellation
Saint-Émilion and its vineyards that cover 5,331ha of vines were listed in 1999 as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Archeological evidence suggests that vines were planted here in Roman times. From a geological angle, the appellation can be divided in three sections. Close to the town, the limestone plateau sits on chalky and clayey siliceous soils. The northwest corner, that continues westwards into Pomerol, has a sandy layer on top of clay-like soils. Totalling 1,171ha, these two first sections are home to the finest estates of the appellation. The third section is the area south of the limestone plateau towards the Dordogne river that lies on sandy soils with alluvial gravel deposits. Across the appellation, merlot reigns supreme with cabernet franc playing a supporting role.
Tasting Notes
Enticing nose of dark fruits, roasted coffee, cedar, wet stone, forest floor and floral scents, supple mouthfeel with cashmere-like texture, ample volume and excellent precision, multilayered flavours of raspberry, black currant, cherry, plum, tea leaves, mint and balsamic notes underpinned by a firm mineral backbone, lively acidity and plush tannins carrying through a long, voluptuous finish. Incredibly fresh at 25 years old, this is a dazzling wine with alluring grace, superb fruit purity and captivating complexity. Having put the power and intensity of its youthful years on the backseat, this 1998 is remarkably well balanced and deliciously round throughout the palate while cruising along with ethereal finesse. When it comes to Right Bank bordeaux vintages, I often have a slight preference for 1998 over the glamorous 2000, and this is Ausone at its magnificent best indeed. (03/2023)