Ausone

History of Château Ausone

The history of Château Ausone dates back centuries, rooted in the rich soil of Saint-Émilion. The estate takes its name from the famous Gallo-Roman poet Decimus Magnus Ausonius, born in 310 in Burdigala (present-day Bordeaux). Although the precise association between the poet and the property remains uncertain, it is possible that Ausonius owned wine-growing lands in this region, particularly the Gallo-Roman villa Lucaniacum. In any case, the viticultural history of the estate is undeniably ancient.

The first documented mentions of the property date back to the 13th century, when the Lescours family became owners. Succeeded in the 17th century by the Lescure family, the management of the estate then passed into the hands of the Chatonnet-Cantenat lineage from 1690, a lineage that continues to this day with the Vauthier family.

During the 18th century, the underground galleries carved into the limestone were converted into wine cellars, favouring the optimal ageing of the precious bottles of Château Ausone. In 1955, during the first classification of Saint-Émilion wines, Château Ausone directly entered the prestigious category of Premiers Grands Crus Classés A, a rare distinction shared with only three other properties: Cheval Blanc, Angélus and Pavie.

Alain Vauthier, the current owner, took the reins of the estate in the late 1990s, after a long family legal battle. Under his direction, Château Ausone has reached new heights of quality, perpetuating the family heritage while infusing a modern approach to winemaking.

Although Château Ausone had been among the Premiers Grands Crus Classés A of Saint-Émilion for decades, it voluntarily withdrew its candidacy during the classification revision in 2022, thus asserting its independence while maintaining its unparalleled prestige.

Robert Parker awarded Château Ausone the perfect score of 100/100 for the 2005, 2003, 1959 and 2018 vintages. The 2016 and 2015 vintages scored 99/100, while the 2000, 2009, 2019, 2001, 2008 and 2017 vintages received 98/100.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Ausone

The terroir of Château Ausone is simply exceptional. Spanning only 7 hectares, this vineyard benefits from a unique mid-slope situation, protected by a limestone plateau that shapes the distinctive mineral character of its wines. The soil, composed of asteriated clays and limestones, gives the wine its characteristic minerality and depth.

The vineyard is planted with 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot, with an average vine age of around 50 years. Some of the oldest Cabernet Franc vines date back to 1906, offering low yields but unmatched quality. These vines, particularly adapted to the climate and soils of Saint-Émilion, allow Château Ausone to produce wines of exceptional complexity, combining power and elegance.

The estate's viticultural practices are mainly focused on organic farming, and since 2020, Château Ausone has committed to a total conversion to this method. Thanks to meticulous attention to biodiversity and terroir preservation, each vintage faithfully reflects the unique characteristics of the region's soil and climate.

Vinifications of Château Ausone

Vinification at Château Ausone is a precise and rigorously monitored process. Alain Vauthier, with the help of his daughter Pauline, directs the technical operations of the estate, assisted by renowned oenologist Michel Rolland. The harvest is carried out by hand, with a rigorous sorting of the grapes to ensure only the best are used.

Fermentations take place in 54-hectolitre wooden vats, respecting the traditional methods of the region. Before fermentation begins, cold maceration is applied, allowing for the extraction of the finest aromas from the grape. Malolactic fermentation takes place in French oak barrels, and the wine is aged in 100% new barrels for a period of up to 24 months, depending on the vintage.

Respect for traditions does not exclude innovation: small capacity stainless steel tanks allow for preserving the quality of the grapes before their transfer to wooden vats. This process ensures optimal management of temperatures and sanitary conditions, guaranteeing wines of exceptional purity.

The cuvées of Château Ausone

Château Ausone offers two main cuvées, each representing the excellence of the property.

Château Ausone

The grand vin of Château Ausone is the ultimate expression of the Saint-Émilion terroir. Composed of a blend of Cabernet Franc (55%) and Merlot (45%), this wine is distinguished by its complexity and remarkable ageing potential. When young, it presents intoxicating floral notes, particularly peony and violet, accompanied by nuances of mint and graphite. With age, the wine evolves, revealing deeper and more chiselled aromas, supported by a velvety texture and a perfect balance between freshness and intensity.

This exceptional wine requires between 10 and 15 years of cellaring to fully express its potential. It is capable of ageing for several decades in the best vintages, developing complex flavours and aromas, where minerality and fruit purity are magnified.

La Chapelle d'Ausone - Second Wine

Produced from the estate's young vines, La Chapelle d'Ausone is the property's second wine, but remains a great wine in its own right. More accessible than the grand vin in its youth, it is distinguished by a softer texture and remarkable fluidity on the palate. Its finish, marked by a limestone sensation and a minty freshness, is still tight, but promises beautiful evolutions after a few years of cellaring.

This wine is a true homage to the limestone terroir of Château Ausone, offering a more immediate alternative to impatient enthusiasts, while retaining an impressive ageing capacity.

Saint-Émilion, a jewel of the Bordeaux wine region, has produced vintages of exceptional quality over the years, delighting connoisseurs of fine wines. Among the legendary vintages, one can cite 1947, 1959, and 1961, true icons that have marked the history of Bordeaux wines. The famous 1982 remains an undisputable reference. The following decades were equally impressive, with remarkable vintages such as 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2005, all acclaimed for their richness and ageing potential. More recently, the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages have shone through their balance and depth, reaffirming Saint-Émilion's reputation as one of Bordeaux's most sought-after appellations, where each new year continues to captivate fine wine enthusiasts with its consistent quality and elegance.

Discover the prestigious Premier Grand Cru Classé A wines of Saint-Émilion, true jewels of the Right Bank vineyards. Among them, Château Pavie, promoted in 2012, continues to shine with the exceptional quality of its wines. More recently, in 2022, Château Figeac joined this exclusive circle, confirming its place among the elite. Other estates, although no longer part of this classification since 2022, continue to inspire admiration from wine enthusiasts: Château Angélus, Château Ausone and Château Cheval Blanc, all synonymous with tradition and excellence.

Château Ausone embodies the very essence of Bordeaux wine excellence. Anchored in an exceptional terroir and backed by a centuries-old family heritage, the estate has managed to traverse the ages while remaining at the forefront of innovation, all while respecting the traditions that have made its reputation. Thanks to the wise direction of Alain Vauthier and his daughter Pauline, Château Ausone continues to offer wines of incomparable quality, capable of rivalling the greatest names in Bordeaux.