Château Ausone 2025

Château Ausone sits on the right bank of Bordeaux, in the heart of Saint-Émilion, with a history reaching back to Roman times. Now run by the Vauthier family, the estate is regarded as one of the region's very best, its vineyards combining clay, limestone and sand on a steep, sun-facing slope. The limestone plateau and well-drained terraces ripen Merlot and Cabernet Franc fully while keeping fresh acidity, and the south-facing aspect reflects heat through the growing season. The vines are farmed biodynamically and yields kept low for concentration. The wine is fermented and aged for twenty-one months in 225 litre French oak barrels, where extended ageing and slow oxygen exchange build fine, firm tannins and add a cedary, spiced complexity. It is deep, near-opaque ruby, with a nose of dark plum, black cherry and tobacco over dark chocolate, oak and earth. The palate is powerful and tightly structured, with firm tannins, fresh acidity and a very long, mineral finish that calls for the cellar. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanted well ahead, with prime red meats.