Chateau Ausone 2012

This prestigious Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé A from the 2012 vintage reveals aromas of black cherry, blackberry, plum, violet, graphite, and cedar with subtle spice. Full-bodied and beautifully structured, the palate offers concentrated dark fruit, silky tannins, vibrant freshness, and an exceptionally long, elegant finish.

Food Pairing: Roast lamb, beef tenderloin, duck confit, venison, truffle dishes, foie gras, aged hard cheeses.

98 Points - James Suckling

Wild aromas of mint, spearmint, cool chalk and dark fruits. Full-bodied, tight, linear and incredibly long with a evening-stone, blueberry, cherry and mineral undertone. Crisp and extremely persistent. Iodine and oyster shell here to round it all off. Better in 2018.

96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Tasted blind at the 2012 Southwold tasting, the 2012 Ausone took more time to settle in the glass than its peers, eventually deciding upon briary, violet and cassis scents—very floral and Margaux-like in style, not powerful but insistent. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a crisp line of acidity, blackcurrant pastille mixed with cedar and a dash of spice, the wine finally revving up towards an intense and persistent finish that almost stains the mouth with its opulence. It is a gorgeous Saint Emilion from Pauline and Alain Vauthier. Tasted January 2016.

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast

This is a magnificent wine with an opulent structure and a finely perfumed character. It is dense with the ripest black fruits cushioned by the soft texture. A serious, denser side brings out a tannic core. It's elegant while also powerful and certainly needs to age. Drink from 2024.