At a glance

Producer

Château Ausone

Region

Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Cabernet Franc, Merlot

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$900-$1,500 (per 750ml bottle, 2024 auction & retailer prices)

Tasting profile

Aromatic complexity showing blackcurrant, plum, graphite, truffle, floral violets, subtle new leather, minerality, and delicate oak spices. Palate silky yet powerful, elegant finish.

Evolution: Youthful years (2009-2018): Firm tannins, concentrated fruit, subtle oak. Current phase (2018-2035): Secondary and tertiary notes (cigar box, earth, savory herbs) emerging, tannins increasingly polished.

At peak: With further cellaring through 2030, expect more pronounced earth, dried fruit, and savory undertones with remarkable finesse and length.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-plus (essential for aging)

Tannins

Firm but beautifully integrated; abundant at release, now velvety and resolved

Alcohol

13.5% ABV (typical)

Aging potential

Exceptional – 30-40+ years from vintage in fine cellars

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2022 to 2048

Optimal window

2016 to 2051

Current status

Prime, entering mature plateau

Current condition

Fully mature with still-excellent structure; will hold and possibly improve further over the next 10-15 years

As a Bordeaux 1er Grand Cru Classé 'A' from a top site and traditional, restrained production, this wine is made for several decades of aging. 2006 was a structured, classic vintage, delivering long-lived reds; Ausone’s pedigree and Cabernet Franc dominance reinforce longevity. The wine currently bridges fruit richness and tertiary complexity, on a slow evolutionary curve typical for this chateau.

Food pairing

Roast lamb with herbs, beef Wellington, truffle risotto, mature Comté or Gruyère, wild mushroom dishes. Avoid overly spicy or acidic pairings.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — Recommended to awaken aromatics and dispel any sediment; gentle decanting helps showcase layered complexity.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Château Ausone practices sustainable viticulture: low-intervention farming, hand-harvesting, careful use of traditional copper/sulfur treatments, reduced use of chemical inputs when possible. Focus on terroir expression, biodiverse vineyard management, and gravity flow winery design. No systemic synthetic herbicides/fungicides but not fully certified organic/biodynamic.

While Ausone vineyards are managed with great environmental care—including strict handwork, minimal chemical use, and preservation of ancient limestone terraces—the estate does not hold official organic or biodynamic status. Sustainability improvements (water, soil, biodiversity) are real, but carbon footprint is high due to rarity, heavy packaging, and distant export. Overall, above-average sustainability compared to peers in top Bordeaux, but not industry-leading.