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Noncontractual photograph
Vintage | Wine 1982 |
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.
DOMAINE DE LA ROMANEE CONTI Marey Monge 1982
Romanée Saint Vivant
Pomerol
Chambolle Musigny
DOMAINE DE LA ROMANEE CONTI 1982
Grands Echezeaux
CHÂTEAU DUCRU BEAUCAILLOU 1982
Saint Julien
Sauternes
CHÂTEAU LA TOUR HAUT BRION 1982
Pessac Leognan
Pessac Leognan
Latricières Chambertin
TRAPET PERE ET FILS Clos Prieur 1982
Gevrey Chambertin
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(09-2007)
(11-2012)Tasted at Pebbles/Zachy’s 1982 dinner in Hong Kong. Again, this is a 1982 that I have not tasted for a number of years. It is actually a better showing than I would have predicted given its auspicious company, especially in juxtaposition with Cheval Blanc. It has a rather odd not of wild mushroom, bacon fat and truffle, although there is certainly some brettanomyces adding some of the old sweaty saddle aromas that rather knocks the aromatics sideways. The palate is medium-bodied and loose knit on the entry. To be honest, it has more elegance than I anticipated and I cannot help feeling that if it were not for the brett it would have been a “contender”. But there is certainly good substance here and I suspect larger formats might have more to offer.
(11-1998) A real beauty. Dark ruby color, with a garnet hue. Very fresh fruit with floral, berry and perfume character. Full-bodied, with superfine tannins and long, sweet fruit.
(10-2008) Brownish color, medium intensity. Complex nose, smelling of ripe fruit and cedar. It has the advantage of being pure when stirring glass. Soft on the attack, rather voluminous compared to the others, the wine is sappy ahead with a very good taste reminiscent of red and white fruits. Still sappy and long finish. Fairly structured wine, giving a feeling of uniqueness, but still a bit cramped, and that's a shame. Considering its rating on the market, and for a good management of your cellar, I recommend that you sell it.