A Wine Fortress Above Saint-Émilion
Château Ausone is considered one of the great wine strongholds of Saint-Émilion, blessed with a breathtaking location on a steep hillside overlooking the picturesque medieval town.
The estate’s history is ancient and fascinating, traditionally associated with the Roman poet Ausonius, from whom the château takes its name. According to legend, Ausonius owned a villa and vineyards in the region during the fourth century AD.
Even today, Ausone’s exceptional location remains one of the secrets behind the quality of its wines. The vineyards are planted on steep slopes, some reaching gradients of around 20 percent, and benefit from excellent exposure to the sun. The soils consist of layers of limestone, clay and sand, providing excellent drainage while encouraging the vines to develop deep root systems capable of drawing minerals from the underlying terroir.
Small Estate, Exceptional Attention to Detail
Château Ausone is remarkably small compared with many of Bordeaux’s other celebrated estates. Its limited scale contributes to an uncompromising approach to quality and meticulous attention to detail throughout every stage of production.
The château is renowned for its rigorous winemaking philosophy and the relatively small quantities of wine produced in each vintage.
During the 1990s, the estate was affected by family disputes, but Château Ausone ultimately remained under the control of the Vauthier family, which manages the property today and continues its long-standing commitment to quality.
Château Ausone Saint-Émilion
The estate’s flagship wine, Château Ausone Saint-Émilion, is traditionally dominated by Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with the precise proportions varying according to the vintage.
The wine is distinguished by exceptional elegance, impressive concentration and a complex aromatic profile of red and black berries, flowers and distinctive mineral notes, complemented by refined, silky tannins.
Château Ausone is also renowned for its phenomenal aging potential. The finest vintages can continue developing in bottle for many decades and, under ideal conditions, may evolve beautifully for more than half a century.
Vintages such as 1989, 2005, and 2009 have achieved legendary status and are highly sought after by wine collectors worldwide.
