This was the first vintage for the Vauthier family of Chateau Ausone off this tiny three-hectare estate. Composed of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 85% new, the 2015 La Clotte displays a medium to deep garnet-purple color and a very spicy nose of cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise and allspice over core of red and black currants, mulberries and black soil plus a waft of violets. Full-bodied and decadently fruited with a firm backbone of very ripe, beautifully velvety tannins, it has a lively backbone providing loads of lift throughout the very long finish. Feb 2018, www.robertparker.com
A fascinating wine with purity and length. Very tight and compacted. Full and silky texture. Curious and enlightening. Structured. Now owned by the Vauthier family of Ausone. First vintage. Apr 2016, www.JamesSuckling.com
Full and sunbaked on the nose. Lots of vitality. Not forced. Apr 2016, www.JancisRobinson.com, Drink: 2024-2038
The 2015 La Clotte presents a striking interplay of aromatics, fruit and structure. Beams of tannin give La Clotte much of its distinctive personality. Espresso, mocha, leather, dark cherry, savor herbs and plum open up nicely in the glass. La Clotte is one of the least expressive wines in the Vauthier family's range this year, yet it offers outstanding potential, not to mention tons of class. The Cabernet Franc is particularly expressive here. The 2015 is 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon projected to spend 18 months in oak, 85% new. Apr 2016, www.Vinous.com
Some of the Vauthiers’ 2015s are so supple that you could almost drink them from the barrel, but this one has more guts and structure. Violets and roses on the nose, raspberry and blueberry fruit, stylish oak and an undertow of firmish tannin. Apr 2016, www.timatkin.com, Drink: 2022-2028
The 2015 La Clotte, now part of Alain Vauthier's portfolio, is a blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Pauline Vauthier told me that they had pulled up one-hectare of vines because of the condition, leaving three in production. It was macerated by pigeage only, no remontage. Matured in 85% new oak, that wood feels quite prominent at the moment, although there is sufficient fruit to absorb it. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin on the entry, very smooth and nicely poised with fine precision on the finish. Elegant and poised, this already shows an improvement in this estate since the Vauthiers acquired the vineyard. Apr 2016, www.eRobertParker.com, Drink: 2020-2035
