Chapelle d'Ausone 2015

The 2015 Chapelle d'Ausone is still a little introspective, just as it showed en primeur, when usually this races out of the blocks. This is more bashful with blackberry, pencil lead and subtle woodland aromas all nicely defined but holding themselves back. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent, fleshy, ripe tannin. Here the deuxième vin is much more expressive, velvety in texture thanks to the polished tannins and perfectly judged acidity. There is such purity and precision on the finish here that you are immediately hankering for the next sip. This surpasses my expectations. Anticipated maturity: 2021 - 2045.

Gorgeous perfumes of lavender, roses, currants, blackberries and violets follow through to a full body, and soft and round, beautifully textured tannins. Alluring and inviting to drink now. Beautiful length. Very open and savory for the second wine of Ausone.

Chapelle d’Ausone 2015 is a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Merlot and is deep garnet-colored. It comes tumbling out of the glass with forthcoming notions of baked blackberries, plum pudding, chocolate-covered cherries, and licorice, followed by hints of stewed black tea, Sichuan pepper, and chargrill. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is plush and seductive, delivering mouth-filling black fruit preserves and loads of mineral sparks, finishing long and spicy.

Black! Good freshness on the nose. Very sweet start - fermented blackcurrant pastilles - and finishes a little dry at the moment.
Drink 2023-2032

Ausone's second wine is better than most other Saint Emilions. It usually represents about one third of Ausone's total production and receives the same elevage as the Grand Vin itself. The average age of vines is 15 years. 45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 85% new oak. There will be 9000 bottles produced in 2015. Dark purple colour with a black and blue fruit nose. The palate is well-defined with refined tannins and a delineated floral and bramble fruit character. Hints of smoke and spice come from the new oak. This a serious and complex wine with real refinement despite its power and length. Very impressive for a 'second' wine.

Starting with the second wine of Ausone, the 2015 Chapelle d'Ausone checks in as roughly 45% each of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a screaming good wine offering notes of black raspberries, licorice, smoked earth, and exotic flowers. With fabulous opulence, full-bodied richness, ripe tannin, and a stacked mid-palate, it’s a serious wine that will benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for two decades. 2020 - 2040

Sweet ripe the nose has depth the start of the palate is rich with a mix of black fruits. Fleshy and lush in the middle the tannins are fine adding to the suppleness yet there is freshness at the back. Layers of flavour add to the complexity the finish has depth and richness. 2021-32

Two-thirds of the crop went into the Grand Vin in 2015, but Ausone’s second label is still very
impressive indeed. Perfumed and silky, with effortless oak integration, fine-boned tannins
and nuanced red and black fruits, it lingers on the palate. One for those of us who can’t afford
Ausone... Drink: 2022-30

A stunning Chapelle with incredibly sexy texture and a haunting, exotic scent. This is a beautifully balanced wine with perfectly judged tannins and acidity underpinning and distinguished flavour. Gorgeous and relatively forward this is one to buy.