Chapelle d'Ausone 2019

Such pure and beautiful aromas of blackberries and black cherries with violets and red roses. So aromatic and enticing. Full-bodied with extremely integrated tannins that are velvety and curated. Fresh and sweet fruit at the end with an orange-peel undertone. Crushed stone and sandalwood, too. This is a very beautiful second wine of Ausone. 60% cabernet franc and 40% merlot. Drink after 2025.

60% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot. Barrel sample. Purple-crimson. Fragrant floral, dark-fruit and liquorice notes. Delicate, lithe palate with very fine tannins. Almost weightless but the structure is there. Long, clean, persistent finish. A bit reticent but fine. (JL)

A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot, the 2019 Chapelle d'Ausone is deep garnet-purple in color. Lifted notes of black raspberries, redcurrant jelly, and blackberry preserves waft from the glass, followed by hints of unsmoked cigars, baking spices, and violets. The medium-bodied palate is plush and juicy, with loads of fragrant layers and a lively, perfumed finish.

From young vines, La Chapelle d'Ausone is produced each year from different plots. On tasting, the wine is more approachable in its youth, with rich fruit and a deep mid-palate, endowed with perfect freshness, playing its second-wine role to perfection.

The dominance of Cabernet Franc asserts itself right away, on the very first nose, with hints of iris. These are complemented by freshness and notes of black berries. The wine reveals itself like many 2019s, that is to say, slowly. The attack is rather discreet, then gives way to freshness and a streamlined character. One could stop there, but that would prevent understanding the true dimension of this wine, which emerges in the final part of the palate. Chapelle d’Ausone sets the tone, lays the groundwork and astonishes with its grandeur; indeed, like a mischievous youngster, it almost seems to stick its tongue out at the grand vin, as if to say it, too, has plenty to express and claims to make. What a great success!

Dark, intense, purple color. Highly aromatic nose, fine, fruity, and pure. Delicate from the very first sip and immediately suave, with a graceful touch and aroma that settle between the mid-palate and the finish, this lace-like wine dances on the palate. It offers a novel expression and lingers long, complex and deep. With decanting, the nose and palate open up, gaining remarkable brightness, softness, and subtlety. This is no longer a second wine, but a great wine. This 2019 stands alongside the 2016 and 2018.

The second wine of Ausone comes from specific parcels of the vineyard. With 60% of Cabernet Franc in the blend with Merlot, the wine is structured and firm, perfumed and rich. It will age well, drink from 2026.