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Noncontractual photograph
Vintage | Wine 1988 |
Classification | St Emilion - 1er Grand Cru Classé A |
Region | Bordeaux |
Appellation | Saint Emilion |
Colour | Red |
Volume | 0.75 l |
Country | France |
Château | Château Ausone |
Country | France |
Château Ausone produces Bordeaux Grands Crus with the Saint Emilion appellation in the south of France. This estate is one of the 4 châteaux to benefit from the Premier Grand Cru Classé A classification with the Angelus, Cheval Blanc and Pavie châteaux. Château Ausone is a small estate of only 7 hectares located on the slopes of Saint-Emilion. Built on the site of the villa of the Latin poet Ausone, the estate enjoys southern exposure, terraced vines and a balanced and very old grape variety. The cellar, carved into the rock, is extraordinary. It has been the subject of immense works to strengthen the solidity of the building.
As for the wines, reputed to take a long time to assert themselves, they are dense, intense and with an aromatic complexity that allows Ausone to rank among the very first estates in Bordeaux. The main grape varieties are Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with a majority of 55% Cabernet Franc.
Among the greatest vintages of Château Ausone, the 1982 and 1983 vintages are excellent. The 1995, grands crus of 1998, 2008 vintage wines and 2009 wines are exceptional. Finally, the 2003 vintage wines and 2005 grands crus classés are considered to be the most extraordinary vintages, the grands crus of this vintage even obtained the score of 100/100 by Robert Parker.
Puligny Montrachet
Pomerol
Pauillac
Pauillac
CHÂTEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD 1988
Pauillac
Pomerol
Saint Julien
Pauillac
The 1988 may need 20 years to reach its peak, as it is probably the most tannic, young Ausone I have ever tasted. The tannins are extremely hard, even astringent, but unlike a number of 1988s where the balance between tannins and fruit favors the tannin (always a troubling sign), here is a case where there is plenty of juicy red and black fruit extract in a medium-bodied, superbly concentrated, very intense and powerful wine
Medium depth, touch of cherry red; extraordinarily sweet and nutty. Excellent body, flavour, balance and length.