Château Ausone
Ausone’s vineyards sit atop St Emilion’s limestone plateau and extend in terraces down the côtes. There are just over six hectares of vines planted today, mostly Cabernet Franc along with Merlot. The team practice organic and biodynamic viticulture though without certification.
Château Ausone, can date its lineage back to 300AD and the Roman poet, Ausonius. His villa reputedly stood on the site of the current château and he planted 100 acres of vines in St-Emilion.
The Premier Grand Cru Classé (A) is one of the most sought after St-Emilions made. At most, just 2,000 cases are produced each vintage, helping to fuel demand when supply is so limited.
The history of the estate:
The name of the estate is a tribute to the poet and consul Ausonius, an influential figure of late Antiquity. There is every reason to believe that one of his estates, Lucaniacum, was located on the very spot occupied by the present Château.
From the 13th to the 16th century, the Lescours family looked after the vineyard, before handing it over to Jacques de Lescure, then King’s Councillor at the Bordeaux Parliament.
In 1690, the estate was sold to Pierre Chatonnet. This simple transaction was to be the origin of the current lineage. The Vauthier family, now at the head of the estate, is directly descended from this line.
Alain Vauthier and his eldest daughter Pauline Vauthier now run Ausone. Pauline Vauthier represents the eleventh generation of the same wine-growing family.
The terroir of the estate:
Château Ausone’s terroir has excellent exposure to the east and south, and is surrounded by a belt of rock that shelters it completely from the north and west winds.It creats a particularly favourable micro-climate. The region enjoys a temperate climate, with plenty of sunshine and moderate rainfall, ensuring that the grapes ripen perfectly while preserving their freshness and natural acidity.
The estate covers 7 hectares. The average age of the vineyards is 45 to 50 years, which is ideal for producing great aging wines. The richness of the soil is the magnificence of the terroir: one quarter on thin soil resting on asteriated limestone and the rest on clay-limestone molasse slopes. The grape varieties are 55% Cabernet Franc, 43% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon.
The wines:
Saint-Émilion’s specific limestone terroir lends a remarkable minerality, while the high average age of the vines ensures a concentration and intensity of flavour. The balance between Cabernet Franc and Merlot brings structure and elegance, creating wines that are recognisable by their finesse, length on the palate and great ageing potential. The Grand Vin of Château Ausone embodies the quintessence of Saint-Émilion. Its rich aromatic profile and tannic structure blend harmoniously with an elegance and minerality stretching through to a finish of rare persistence and balance.