History: The vines has been planted in the 4th century and was cultivated by Roman poet Ausonious. Ausone, named after the famous Roman Poet.
Family Battle: The estate was founded by the two families, the Chatonnets and the Cantenants. Today it belongs to Alain Vauthier and his sister Catherine.
Distinction: Ausone cru is one the oldest in the region. Ausone cru is one of the oldest in the region! This is the 4th domain with with Cheval Blanc(for more info), Pavie and Angélus which is classified as 1er Grand Cru Classé.
Limited Production: The site is exceptional at Ausone, a combination of exposure and soil, the limestone plateau and saint emilion’s, a mixture of sand and clay on limestone which is unique to the district. The Luck Factor:Ausone was one of the very few Saint-Emilion’s château to have escaped from 1956 frosts of February 1956. Thevineyard is 7 hectares with 45% Merlot and 55% Cabernet Franc. Grand Vin and the second wine Chapelle d’Ausone, the average annual production is 2000 cases. Cabernet sauvignon vines, planted in 2006, that are used in the blend of the second wine.
High Density Planting: The vines are very old, with an average age of 50 years, have an incredible density (33 hecolitres per hectare) that explains the concentration and its potential for improving over time.
Wine Making: The blending is done by Alain Vauthier, and since 2005 his daughter Pauline Vauthier, a qualified oenologist, has been working with him. Vinification is carried out in the temperature-controlled oka vats. The wine is then ages in barrel for about 20 months. There is no outside consultant at Ausone.
Average price: With such a small volume on offer and a stellar reputation, Ausone isn’t cheap. “The price is beyond most consumers,” The primeur 2016 price is not yet out, but 2016 definitely comes under one of the best vintage –Average price: 640€– 2000€ per wine bottle up to 12000€ depending on vintage.
A great Vintages may expect a half-century’s lifespan. Image courtesy@winesutra
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