1999 Chapelle d'Ausone
By Chateau Ausone
1999 Chapelle d'Ausone from Chateau Ausone, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
The turn of the millennium brought forth a pantheon of profound Bordeaux vintages, among which the 1999 Chapelle d'Ausone from Chateau Ausone gallants as a dark horse with an evocative narrative. While some might cast their gaze towards the more heralded years, this particular vintage encapsulates a chapter of vinous storytelling that is both compelling and markedly distinct.
An Ode to Elegance: The Narrative of 1999
In an age where wine investment soars with each qualitative leap, the poise of the 1999 Chapelle d'Ausone shines through its relative obscurity. A year marked by capricious weather, 1999 did not cater to the broad strokes of legendary status but shaped wines with subtle finesse and grace. Hailing from the hallowed limestone slopes of Saint-Émilion, this wine proffers an investment profile etched with its own unique charm.
Distinct Character: Bordeaux’s Sleeper Vintage
The 1999 vintage might have been overshadowed by its successor kith, but in the glass, this chapelle betokens Bordeaux terroir with an eloquent whisper rather than a shout. An intimate blend predominated by Merlot, interspersed with Cabernet Franc's poise-seeking backbone, unfolds layers of matured plums and blackcurrant relish decorated with underbrush and truffle nuances. The palate echoes this complexity with a velvety structure leading to an enduring finish, encapsulating the understated elegance afforded by that year's milder climatic generosity.
Connoisseurs who delve into the repertoire of 1999 will uncover in Chapelle d'Ausone from Chateau Ausone a wine at once subtle and intricate, offering an exceptional investment opportunity to those attuned to the virtues of finesse over flamboyance.
Savouring Unique Vintages: Investing in Rarity
In conclusion, the 1999 Chapelle d'Ausone bespeaks distinct attributes that carve a niche for itself amidst Bordeaux's library of giants. Investors seeking diversification or collectors pursuing completeness can find solace in knowing that this vintage stands as one of refined rarity -- a serene echo from Saint-Émilion's storied amphitheatre unwavering in its narrated history.
Market price (CAD)
$4,520.00
12x75cl
Highest score
90
POP score
272
Scores and tasting notes
About 6,000 bottles of the 1999 Chapelle d'Ausone were made from the same blend as the grand vin (50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot). It is a serious second wine, offering notes of blueberries, minerals, and flowers (violets). This dense purple-colored, deep, rich, outstanding effort will be drinkable between 2007-2020.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 29 April 2002