Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

70% Merlot & 30% Cabernet Franc. Decanted 2 hours and enjoyed over the next 2 plus hours. Cork near new.

I have waited patiently nearly 20 yrs to enjoy this 2005. While it is delicious tonight, it still has not hit its precipice. Might be another 8-10 yrs for that.

This is the second wine of Chateau Ausone. If you are not familiar with this producer, if they redid the 1855 Classification, their first wine would most certainly be a first growth and at the very least a second growth.

I remember reading the first/original review of the 2005 Ausone from Robert Parker. It read, “if you are over the age of 55, you have to decide whether or not to buy this wine.” It went on to a glorious 💯 point review. However, that original review was taken down some months into it. Was it taken down at the behest of Chateau Ausone? The review was reworded to take out the over 55 age & anticipated drinking window of 2040-2080. Most of Chateau Ausone buyers are older, higher income. Would that drinking window prevent them from purchasing it as Chateau Ausone is not an inexpensive bottle price? Not for the younger incomes. Question for the ages but it inspired me to buy three bottles of their 05 Chapelle d’ Ausone.

About a yr ago, I had their 02 Chapelle d’ Ausone. Strangely, that night it showed better than this 05 tonight. The 02 vintage was not a lauded vintage. Yet on that night, the perfect time to open it. This 05 needs more cellaring time and will ultimately be a better wine in another 7-10 yrs.

The nose shows; beautiful, ripe, somewhat floral fruits that are; dark cherries, strawberries, cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, sweet blueberries and raspberry notes. Mid berry cola. steeped fruit tea, gently baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & beautiful vanillin, soft pepper, mix of dry & fresh herbs, tobacco, leather, graphite, volcanic ash, moist clays, limestone, amazing dark & red florals set is violets.

Medium plus resolved, powdery tannins. The palate glides with freshness and ripe, floral, juicy fruits that are; dark cherries, strawberries, cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, sweet blueberries and raspberry notes. There is no bite or a stringency, Mid berry cola, steeped fruit tea, gentle baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & beautiful vanillin, soft pepper, mix of dry & fresh herbs, excellent mid, dark spices w/ some palate heat, anise, dark chocolate baking bar, coco powder, tobacco, leather, graphite,, limestone/sandstone, dry crushed rocks, grey volcanic ash, rich, sweet forest floor w/ dry leaves, moist clays, limestone, soft cedar to sandalwood, amazing dark & red florals set is liquid violets, amazing rainfall acidity, still has firm structure/tension, well balanced, great length and a finish that is w/o end and long sets on dark, dry tannins, heated, dark spice florals, earth and tarriness.

Add two points in 7-10 yrs. I look forward to my next bottle then.

Photos of; Chateau Ausone and owner-Alain Vauthier. That short rootstock featured center is around 25+ yrs old. — a month ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.4

My Arnoux-Lachaux day. Had the 2017 Romanee St. Vivant at lunch. A 2018 Clos de Vougeot at 6 pm and this NSG at 10 pm. It holds its own with those two grand crus. All of these wines are full bodied but they display an incredible elegance. Red fruit and great salinity with a touch of acid to create great balance. For me Charles Lachaux has reached superstar status in 2018 with unfortunately prices to match. That is what makes this wine so great, it is still relatively affordable and scores almost as good as the two grand crus tasted earlier. — 5 years ago

Conrad Green

9.6

Vivid and full of flavor. Bright and gamey with floral notes, dark cherry and violets. Sappy with a hint of iodine. Delicious — 6 months ago

with Matt and Paul

Michael Walker

9.9

PJW 6 pack for his visit - this is OTH, definitely some funk, Paul says wasn’t kept well, but great bones, it really grew on me as it opened - smoky, a bit of cobwebs, love it. Should seek out a ‘16 — 7 months ago

Cody LaRocque

9.0

Found one of these bottles lying around from 1996 — 2 years ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.4

I usually am not such a great fan of MSG. I find the wines too harsh, too masculine. This is a great MSG, lighter, feminine, full of sumptuous red fruit, precise and delineated closer to a Vosne than a MSG with great balance. Enjoyable (a bit too much) but another 10 years in it. Above all still affordable which can’t be said of the other wines of this emerging (for me he has emerged) super star. Got enough of it to carry me for 10 years but afraid it is too good to forego. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Many critics would say the 2002 vintage fell short, not here. In every difficult vintage, some producers still made a good wine. The 2nd wine of Chateau Ausone is amazing with the Ribcap.

21 years in bottle says, magic. I have had better Bordeaux but, not in some time.

The fruits on the nose & palate are gloriously Bordeaux ruby.

The palate entry glides. Heavenly; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, baked plum pudding, creamy raspberries, poached strawberries and a touch of pomegranate seeds. Dry & moist tobacco, sweet graphite, charcoal, dark, rich earth with leaves, dry herbs, very soft baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, the best dark spices I can remember, limestone, moist clay, crushed, dry rocks, hints of menthol/eucalyptus, dry twig, dry pebbles, withering to dry, dark, red flowers, liquid violets with a touch of red roses, near perfect acidity, balance, tension, elegance for days and a finish that last 90 seconds and falls on beautiful earth tones.

Happy Labor Day Weekend! — 7 months ago

Andrea Watt

9.4

Leather, truffle, cinnamon, and plum. Dark, earthy and smooth. — a year ago

L Guerci

9.0

Wonderful duty free purchase — 2 years ago

Thomas McKee

9.2

A very nice smooth wine with rich red fruit flavours and a long finish. Paired perfectly with the grilled tenderloins and risotto — 5 years ago