2005 Ausone
By Chateau Ausone
2005 Ausone from Chateau Ausone, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
In the grand tapestry of Bordeaux, few threads glisten like the 2005 Ausone from the storied Chateau Ausone - a bottle that encapsulates the essence of Saint-Émilion's splendor. With four decades of vintages swirling in my memory, it is the 2005 vintage that emerges as a paragon, its heritage and distinction speaking volumes in each glass.
Distinctiveness in Each Decant
As a bastion of fine wine investment, Chateau Ausone's offerings are rarely without merit; however, the 2005 vintage stands as a testament to what can be achieved in Bordeaux's right bank. The season provided idyllic conditions: a summer balanced with enough warmth to ripen grapes to perfection, followed by an Indian summer that assured excellent harvest conditions. These factors converged in the 2005 Ausone, producing complexity and balance that might be whispered about for generations.
Eloquence in the Bottle
The harmonic blend of primarily Merlot with Cabernet Franc articulates an eloquent discourse on terroir-driven finesse. A nose of dark fruit, followed by layers of mineral undertones and subtle hints of oak caress the olfactory senses before leading into an opulent yet impeccably structured palate. The tannins are assertive yet refined, much like an eloquent orator who commands attention without raising their voice, promising longevity and evolution for investors and connoisseurs alike.
The climax of this vinous experience is both intricate and profound – a labyrinthine array of flavors and textures unfurling with every sip. As it matures in the cellar, the 2005 Ausone is set to traverse a graceful arc of development with each descending year.
A hallmark within a lineage of remarkable vintages, those with foresight into wine investment will find the promise amid the majesty of the 2005 Ausone – a luminous beacon in the cellars that underpin Saint-Émilion's pantheon.
Market price (USD)
$14,480.00
12x75cl
Highest score
100
POP score
593.5
Scores and tasting notes
I love the tobacco, berry, cigar box, toasty oak, ripe fruit and fresh mushroom flavors in this full-bodied red, which has ultralayered tannins and vanilla, new oak and berry character. Powerful and superconcentrated, with great length. This is a muscular, full-throttle wine, racing very, very fast. Best after 2019. 1,330 cases made.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com
The 2005 Ausone is a perfect wine of the vintage. It displays crushed rock, spring flowers, blueberry and blackberry fruit, a full-bodied mouthfeel, stunning purity and richness, and perfect harmony among all of its component parts (acidity, tannin, wood, alcohol and extract). Still youthful, but oh, so promising, this wine should be set aside for another decade and drunk over the following 50-75 years.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 28 June 2015
A tiny production of just over 1,300 cases will make the 2005 Ausone impossible to find, but proprietor Alain Vauthier continues to exhibit the Midas touch with his perfectionist efforts at this estate. This brilliant, blue/black-hued offering reveals an extraordinarily youthful, but promising nose of incense, blueberries, blackberries, currants, licorice, and crushed rocks. This intense 2005 boasts powerful, super-layered, multidimensional flavors with tremendous extraction, yet they come across as incredibly sublime, even delicate for such a stunningly concentrated, full-bodied effort. A masterpiece of concentration and balance, it will no doubt be drinking well a century from now. Anticipated maturity: 2030-2080+.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #176 April 2008
Tasted at the Ausone vertical in London. A very deep, limpid garnet core with purple/ruby rim, extremely youthful in appearance for a 2005. The bouquet is extraordinarily pure, brilliant definition, with notes of black plum, damson, blueberry, vanilla pod and cedar and wrapped up in a lot of new oak. Coming back after a few minutes there is an intriguing aroma of baked bread. The palate is full-bodied, very good weight, harmonious with silky smooth tannins. Here, there is a bewitching crescendo of flavours although you feel that this wine is still wearing its corset. Black cherries, a touch of lime zest and cassis towards the finish. Primal, powerful and compelling...but it needs another ten years. Drink 2018-2035+ Tasted December 2009.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Nov 2010