Ausone 2012

One can’t say enough about the amazing job that Alain Vauthier and his daughter have done at this historic property on the decomposed limestone slopes of St.-Emilion. Not surprisingly, the 2012 Ausone is one of the candidates for the wine of the vintage. Inky purple in color, with notes of crushed rocks, spring flowers and blueberry and black raspberry, the wine grows on the palate, offering up amazing concentration. There is no heaviness or cloying characteristics. Pure, rich, full-bodied and, although accessible, it is capable of lasting 30 or more years. This will be one of the profound 2012s, following what Haut Brion and Mission Haut Brion did in Pessac-Léognan. Drink it 2022-2050+.

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.

?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.

Rich dark purple and inky. Touch of oak but not overworked. A touch reduced so has a smoky edge. Supple on the mid palate. Elegant and still richly fruity and a light Cabernet Franc leafiness in the empty glass. Great length. No excess of extraction or oak. (JH)

Alain Vauthier has made massive improvements at Ausone in the past 15 years, since taking full control of the winemaking and management of his family property in 1997. The wines made here are now in a totally different league from those produced in the 1970's and 1980's. Ausone has returned to First Growth form and vies with Petrus and Lafleur as the right bank's top Chateau. With production levels even less than those of Petrus, Ausone has become one of the most in demand and hard-to-find wines of Bordeaux. The 7 hectare vineyard is planted with 55% Cabernet Franc, 45% Merlot. The 100% new oak is easily absorbed by the fruit. With just 1500 cases available for the world, this is always as rare as it is great.
The 2012 has a black colour and an intense nose of black cherry, cassis, loganberry, mulberry, raisin and allspice. Exotic and very concentrated, this is super-sweet on the palate, big in alcohol with a thick, plump texture. Quite a tour de force but not revealing great complexity at this stage.

The mix of black fruits on the nose is rich with a lovely ripe feel. The sweetness on the start of the palate is balanced by red fruit freshness layers of complex flavours with fine tannins underpinning. The finish has length and an attractive mineral freshness. 2020-35.

Alan Vauthier describes his impressive 2012 as being like 2011 but with more finesse. It's
certainly less muscular and tannic than the previous year's Ausone, reflecting the skill of the
winemaker as much as the degree of selection. This is a very polished wine, sleek and elegant
with an intense bouquet of red fruits and vanilla oak, fine tannins, a touch of reduction and a
bright, underlying minerality.
Drink: 2020-45