2018 Chapelle d'Ausone
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Tasting Notes
The 2018 Chapelle d’Ausone has a deep garnet purple color. Wearing a fair bit of oak to begin, it opens out to notes of prunes, boysenberry preserves, and tobacco, with a waft of bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has compelling energy and super fine-grained tannins, finishing long and minerally.
Critic Scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Chapelle d'Ausone might very well be the best second wine in Bordeaux in 2018, and it is certainly a lot more compelling than many top cuvées. Inky, deep and voluptuous, the Chapelle shows all of the natural suppleness of Merlot to great effect. Soft curves and silky tannins round things out in style. It is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty from the Vauthier family. Simply magnificent.
Fresh, bright, stony, mineral driven black and red fruits with precision, length, purity, lush, soft textures and finish packed with ripe, sweet, plums, cherries, licorice, smoke and espresso. It is difficult to believe that this is their second wine.
The 2018 Chapelle d'Ausone was poured after the La Clotte, though in retrospect I would have reversed the order, because the aromatics here are more backward and sultry. They uncurl to reveal black cherries, briar, crushed rock/basalt and very light violet scents, all incredibly well focused. The palate is medium-bodied, sporting another silky, satin-like texture from the Vauthier family. Offering wonderful weight and density allied with amazing focus and poise, this is a brilliant Second Wine that is so delicious that it pains me to advise that it deserves 3-4 years in bottle. The citric/blood orange aftertaste knocks you off your feet. Superb.
About the producer
Ch. Ausone is one of Bordeaux’s most respected estates. At this small property, perched atop a hill overlooking the town of Saint-Emilion, the Vauthier family produces some of the finest wines in the region.