2023 Chateau Ausone - St. Emilion MAGNUM (Bordeaux Future ETA 2026) (1.5L)

2023 Chateau Ausone, St. Emilion (Magnum)

Chateau Ausone is one of only four Saint-Emilion estates ranked Premier Grand Cru Classe A, the appellation's highest classification. The property takes its name from the Roman poet Ausonius, whose villa is thought to have once stood on this hillside. The Vauthier family, now in its eleventh generation, oversees the estate, with Alain Vauthier guiding both vineyard and cellar.

The vineyard covers just over seven hectares of clay and limestone soils on the plateau and hillside above the village, farmed organically with high vine density and low yields. Some vines date back to 1906. Grapes are picked by hand and sorted before gentle, gravity-fed vinification in small oak vats, then aged roughly twenty months in barrel. The 2023 vintage blends sixty percent Cabernet Franc with forty percent Merlot.

This magnum offers a seductive nose of violets and morello cherries, layered with vibrancy, bright acidity and velvety tannins beneath an elegant frame. The palate is refined yet structured, with real depth that should reward patience in the cellar. It pairs beautifully with roasted lamb, duck, braised beef or game, and its bright acidity also suits mushroom dishes, aged cheese or richer fish courses.