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Ausone 2004

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot/Cabernet Franc

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Label

Tasting Notes

One of the vintage's most compelling wines (what's new about that?), Alain Vauthier's beloved 2004 Ausone has closed down considerably since I tasted it out of barrel, but it remains among the most concentrated wines of the vintage. Furthermore, along with Petrus, it will probably be the longest-lived. A dense purple color is accompanied by a celestial perfume of blue and black fruits, wet stones, flowers, and incense. On the palate, the wine exhibits exceptional power and concentration, but this historic terroir has also provided a surreal lightness to the wine's impression. Beautiful flavors, sensational depth, and abundant structure suggest this 2004 will not be close to full maturity for 8-10 years. It should last for four decades. Drink 2007-2047.

94+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (171), June 2007

Pretty aromas of crushed blackberry, with hints of ash and light earth. Full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a long, caressing finish. Goes on and on. Such class. Sleek and racy red. Best after 2012.

95
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, March 2007

[50:50 Merlot:Cabernet Franc with yields of around 32 hl/ha - some of the lowest anywhere in 2004.] Very dark blackish purple. Looks quite shiny. Very reticent on the nose. Quite strict - much more austere than other recent Vauthier vintages. Lots of taut, very fine tannins, very much a long-term wine which may need quite a few months more to show at its best. Fine grained, the palate builds towards the very long finish. For the moment this is a taut spring that is all promise and little current pleasure. Drink 2014-20

17+
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (April 05), April 2005
97
Farr Vintners, Southwold Bordeaux Tasting, January 2008

One of the wines of the vintage. Slightly more Cabernet Franc than Merlot, it has lovely, bright, violet-scented perfume, seamless, raspberry and dense plum fruit, teriffic firm tannins and excellent acidity. It's big wine, but carries its size elegantly. The only quibble is that perhaps it's not quite as long and intense as sometimes. 2012-2030

Wine International Panel, Wine International (June 05), June 2005
91/96
-, Wine International (June 05), June 2005
Read more tasting notes...

An extraordinary effort, and a candidate for wine of the vintage, the 2004 Ausone boasts an inky/blue/purple color as well as a prodigious nose of crushed rocks, white flowers, sweet truffles, black raspberries, cherries, and graphite. Although possessing huge richness as well as medium to full body, it is incredibly light on its feet. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2065.

95/97
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (165), June 2006

Made in a backward, excruciatingly tannic style, the inky/ruby/purple-colored 2004 Ausone reveals sweet floral notes intertwined with incense, black raspberries, cassis, and mineral characteristics. It is a rigid, medium-bodied, concentrated, exceptionally pure effort that should age at a glacial pace. Although it does not possess the remarkable concentration and palate presence of the last three or four vintages, it is a super effort from perfectionist proprietor Alain Vauthier. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2040.

91/93+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (158), April 2005
92/94
James Suckling, Wine Spectator (April 05), April 2005

Very complex aromas of minerals, grapes and dried flowers. Hints of red licorice. Full-bodied, with a firm, racy tannin structure and a long, long finish. This is very close to 95-100

James Suckling, Wine Spectator, April 2005
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.