2021 Chapelle d'Ausone
Buying options
Tasting notes
Tasted blind. Neat, mild nose. Then tart blackcurrant on the palate. Charmless. Quite a bit of extraction. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Some sage flower, orange blossom, violet and currant aromas follow through to a medium body, with soft and velvety tannins that show depth and texture. Pure, pretty and supple. Second wine of Ausone. 75% cabernet franc and 25% cabernet sauvignon. Better in a year or two.
A unique blend of 75% Cabernet Franc and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon that hit roughly 300 cases, the 2021 Chapelle D'Ausone comes from a selection of all the parcels and was raised in 90% new barrels. (It's the first time this cuvée has never included Merlot.) Cassis, redcurrants, spring flowers, iron, truffle, and sappy, tobacco-like notes all emerge from this refined, elegant, incredibly lengthy second wine. With good concentration, medium body, and a focused, seamless, yet still structured style, you could easily put this up with the top wines of the vintage.
The 2021 Chapelle d'Ausone has a well-defined bouquet, the Cabernet Franc firmly in the driving seat here, with pencil box and undergrowth infusing the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, silky smooth in texture and neither deep nor concentrated, but retaining commendable tension on the finish. Enjoy it over the next decade.
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.