Ausone 2001

The 2001 Ausone has put on even more weight than I anticipated. The wine of the vintage, this inky/purple-colored 2001 boasts a provocative, floral perfume of crushed stones, raspberries, blackberries, creme de cassis, licorice, and smoke. What makes it so sensational are the layers of flavor and nuances that unfold as the wine sits in the glass as well as on the palate. This is an extraordinarily intense effort, but remarkably elegant and well-balanced. It ideally needs another decade of cellaring; it should last for 4-5 decades! Alain Vauthier is a perfectionist, which is evidenced by what he has produced over the last half dozen vintages at Ausone. Kudos to readers lucky enough to find a bottle or two ... and live long enough to enjoy them in their prime. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050+.

The inky purple-colored 2001 does not display the breadth of flavor or pure magic of the 2000, but it is already a candidate for the vintage's longest-lived wine. It possesses the tell-tale Ausone bouquet of liquified minerals, blackberries, black currants, and flowers. It is sweet, ripe, structured, tannic, and impressively endowed, with a finish that lasts over 30 seconds. Although the tannin is noticeable, so is the fruit purity, freshness, and delineation. Medium to full-bodied, this gorgeous Ausone is for connoisseurs only. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050.

The 2001 does not display the breadth of flavor or pure magic of the 2000, but it is already a candidate for the vintage's longest lived wine. Its striking blue/purple color is accompanied by a classic bouquet of liquified minerals, blackberries, black currants, and flowers. It is sweet, ripe, structured, tannic, and impressively endowed, with a finish that lasts over 30 seconds. Although the tannin is noticeable, so is the fruit purity, freshness, and delineation. This gorgeous Ausone is for the patient only. It is a profound effort from perfectionist proprietor Alain Vauthier. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050.

Mid red. An enveloping cloud of warm, rich aroma. Quite pronounced acidity and freshness. Spiney – linear. An interesting wine. Very hard work on the palate at the end – a bit forced. Very dry finish. Another wine that tastes Spanish!

Alain Vauthier has made massive improvements at Ausone in the past few years since taking full control of the winemaking and management of his family property. The wines made here now are in a different league from those produced in the 1980’s and 1970’s. Made from 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot in 100% new oak, the wine has a very deep colour, full body and a firm structure. Vauthier says, however, that it is riper (and better than) 1998. Big and powerful.

A very fine wine, so close in quality to the 2000 but 25% less in volume (yield 28 hl/ha). Deep colour, beautifully pitched dark berry fruits, sweet and smooth on the palate with loads of fine tannins and a freshness on the finish. *****