2017 Château Ausone Chapelle d'Ausone

The history of Château Ausone goes back to Roman times. The estate is named after Ausonius, a Roman poet and statesman who owned the property in the 4th century AD. Ausonius is known for his work 'Mosella', a Latin poem describing the Moselle River and its surroundings. The building's association with this prominent figure adds to its historical significance. The estate was built on throughout the Middle Ages, with various owners overseeing its development. During this period, viticulture and winemaking practices evolved in the region, paving the way for Bordeaux to become one of the world's most sought-after wine-producing areas. The vineyards of Château Ausone are located on the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, known for producing wines with exceptional finesse and aging potential. The estate's vineyard is relatively small in size, but is planted with a mix of grape varieties. Merlot and Cabernet Franc are the main grapes, with a higher percentage of Cabernet Franc in the blend, contributing to the unique character of Ausone's wines. The limestone soil and southern slopes of the vineyard play a crucial role in the production of high quality grapes. Château Ausone is known for its commitment to quality and meticulous vinification. The vineyards are carefully maintained and the grapes are harvested by hand to ensure the best possible fruit quality. The winemaking process involves a combination of traditional and modern techniques. The wines are typically aged in new French oak barrels to improve complexity and structure. Château Ausone produces only a limited amount of wine each year due to the small size of the vineyard. The Grand Vin, simply called Château Ausone, is considered one of the most exceptional and rare wines in Bordeaux. The estate also produces a second wine called Chapelle d'Ausone, which offers a more approachable and earlier drinking option. The 2017 Chapelle d'Ausone is a blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and has a deep garnet purple color. This wine needs some encouragement to reveal its challenging aromas of plum jam, Black Forest cherry pie and blueberry compote, along with suggestions of rose, clove, pencil shavings and cherry pie. Medium-bodied, the palate is wonderfully lively and elegantly fruity, with a seductive frame of satiny tannins and a long, fragrant finish. Chateau Ausone Chapelle d'Ausone is the second wine from Château Ausone, one of the most prestigious wineries in Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux. Here are some key aspects of this winery: History and Location History : Château Ausone has a rich history dating back to Roman times and is named after the Roman poet Ausonius. The winery has been farmed since medieval times and has built a reputation for producing some of the most refined wines in the region. Location : Located on the southeast of the Saint-Émilion plateau, Château Ausone has an exceptional terroir with limestone soils ideal for viticulture. The vineyards have a unique location that benefits from both sunlight and a good drainage system. Vineyard and Terroir Vineyard : Château Ausone's vineyards cover approximately 7 hectares and are planted with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the two main grape varieties in their wines. Terroir : The limestone soils and strategic hillside location contribute to the minerality, structure and complexity of the wines. The unique terroir ensures perfect ripening of the grapes, resulting in wines of exceptional quality. Wine production Vinification : Chapelle d'Ausone is made with the same care and attention as the first wine, Château Ausone. The grapes are harvested by hand and carefully selected. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel and concrete tanks. Ageing : The wine matures in French oak barrels, many of which are new, for 18 to 24 months. This gives the wine complexity and depth. Characteristics of the Wine Aromas : Chapelle d'Ausone 2017 has a complex bouquet with aromas of