2018 Chapelle d'Ausone
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Chapelle d’Ausone has a deep garnet purple color. Wearing a fair bit of oak to begin, it opens out to notes of prunes, boysenberry preserves, and tobacco, with a waft of bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has compelling energy and super fine-grained tannins, finishing long and minerally.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
50% the two Cabernets! Tasted blind. Sweet, oaky nose. Then a very drying finish and not much fruit in between. Salty finish. (JR)
Chapelle d'Ausone might very well be the best second wine in Bordeaux in 2018, and it is certainly a lot more compelling than many top cuvées. Inky, deep and voluptuous, the Chapelle shows all of the natural suppleness of Merlot to great effect. Soft curves and silky tannins round things out in style. It is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty from the Vauthier family. Simply magnificent.
Fresh, bright, stony, mineral driven black and red fruits with precision, length, purity, lush, soft textures and finish packed with ripe, sweet, plums, cherries, licorice, smoke and espresso. It is difficult to believe that this is their second wine.
About the producer
Ch. Ausone is one of Bordeaux’s most respected estates. At this small property, perched atop a hill overlooking the town of Saint-Emilion, the Vauthier family produces some of the finest wines in the region.