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Chapelle d'Ausone 2016

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

Ausone's second wine usually represents about one third of the Chateau'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. Less than 1000 cases are produced annually which makes it very hard to find unless purchased en primeur.

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Ausone

Label

Tasting Notes

Chapelle d’Ausone 2016 is a blend of 56% Cabernet Franc, 22% Merlot, and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon and has a deep garnet-purple color. It needs just a little swirling before boisterous notes of black cherries and boysenberries burst from the glass, followed by notions of juicy black plums, dried mint, star anise, and tar. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is like a tightly coiled spring, featuring tons of black fruit and earthy layers with a firm, fine-grained frame and a long refreshing finish.

94
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, December 2022

A firm and silky red with lovely plum and berry character plus hints of wet earth and rose petals. Medium-bodied, very fine and wonderfully juicy. Another wine with finesse and length.

93/94
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2017

Exceptionally high levels of Cabernet Franc in this wine in 2016, up to 56%, because the replanted plots are not quite ready for Ausone yet. But wow, this doesn't feel in any way like a compromise, a clear testament to the quality of the Cabernet Franc in this vintage. This is a second wine that laughs at the term - you would be thrilled to have this on your table and enjoy its distinctive deep, powerful and beautiful take on a St-Émilion limestone terroir. Floral, well-fleshed out raspberry and loganberry fruits. This is gorgeous and just keeps on delivering. 56% Cabernet Franc, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot.

93
Jane Anson, Decanter.com, April 2017

Very deep crimson. Round and polished. Very grown up and glossy. Lots of drive and ripe fruit. Long and luscious. Difficult to see what is wrong with this. Except it's a little dry on the end.
Drink 2024-2038

17
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2017

The second wine of Château Ausone, the 2016 Chapelle d'Ausone is a gem of a wine that will stand up to anything out there. Boasting a deep purple/ruby color and terrific notes of cassis, smoked tobacco, licorice, and bouquet garni, it has a mouthfilling texture, fine tannins, and the purity of fruit that makes this vintage so special. Drink it any time over the coming 15 years or so. 2019 - 2034.

94
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com, February 2019

Sweet fruit on the nose quite open the palate has richness integrated tannins supple. There is balance with fresh fruit at the back yet it finishes with depth richness ripe black and red fruits. 2024-36

90/93
Derek Smedley MW, DerekSmedleyMW.co.uk, April 2017

The Grand Vin at Ausone was so good in 2016 that only 25% of production went into Chapelle, but this is still a very smart St Emilion. Serious, yet elegant, with lovely perfume of summer berries, crunchy acidity, fine-boned tannins and impressive length. 2024-34

95
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2017
Read more tasting notes...

A blend of 56% Cabernet Franc, 22% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Chapelle d'Ausone sings of black raspberries, kirsch and plum preserves with hints of unsmoked cigars, pencil lead, lavender and chocolate box plus a waft of garrigue. Medium-bodied and fantastically elegant in the mouth, the elegant red and black fruit layers are beautifully framed by firm yet fine-grained tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long and minerally. 2020 - 2040

94+
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (Interim No), November 2018

The 2016 Chapelle d'Ausone has the highest proportion of Cabernet Franc at 56% this year, complemented by 22% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon. Matured in 80% new oak, it has a very floral, incense and rose petal-scented bouquet that blossoms from the glass. There is an underlying mineral vein here, but it may take a few years to come out. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, crisp acidity, cohesive with good backbone, with fine salinité on the finish. It is just a fabulous Deuxième Vin.
Drink Date 2022 - 2045

93/95
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (230), April 2017
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.