95-100 / 100
Noncontractual photograph
Vintage | 1999 |
Rating | 95-100 |
Classification | St Emilion - 1er Grand Cru Classé A |
Region | Bordeaux |
Appellation | Saint Emilion |
Colour | Red |
Volume | 0.75 l |
Price | More than 300 € |
Château | Ausone |
Country | France |
As Angelus, Cheval Blanc and Pavie, Ausone is ranked as Premier Grand Cru Classé A in Saint Emilion. Ausone is a tiny area of 7 acres located on the slopes of St. Emilion. Situated on the location of the villa of the Latin poet Ausonius, the area enjoys a southern exposure, terraced vineyards and very old grape varieties. The cellar, dug into the rock, is extraordinary. The wine, long known to be assertive, they are dense, intense with complex aromas that allow Ausone to rank amongst the best Bordeaux estates. The grape varieties are merlot, cabernet franc with a majority of cabernet franc (55%).
CHÂTEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD 1999
Pauillac
CHÂTEAU LA NERTHE Les Cadettes 1999
Châteauneuf du Pape
Saint Emilion
Hermitage Rouge
Pomerol
DOMAINE DU COLOMBIER Cuvée Gaby 1999
Crozes Hermitage
Haut Medoc
Pauillac
Offers opulent aromas of meat, toasty oak and ripe berries, almost roasted in character. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins, but a rich and dried fruit aftertaste. Shows lots of new wood. Amazing concentration here. Endless wine for the vintage.
(4-2002) Is the 1999 Ausone the wine of the vintage? Dense purple color, a compelling bouquet of licorice, minerals, black and blueberry liqueur, extraordinary delineation, high tannin, superb extract, and phenomenal richness all are the stuff of a legend. This wine seems impossible to have emerged from a vintage like 1999. Proprietor Alain Vauthier produced only 20,000 bottles because he eliminated one-fourth of the tiny crop. The result is out-and-out fabulous.