Chateau Ausone - Chapelle d´Ausone 2016

JAMES SUCKLING: "Some gently smoky nuances with dark stones and a spicy edge to the ripe blackberries and plums that adds plenty of aromatic interest. The palate delivers a very succulent, smoothly rounded and attractive array of rich fruit in a lively, refreshing and expressively vibrant mode. A blend of 56 per cent cabernet franc, 22 percent merlot and 22 per cent cabernet sauvignon. Second wine of Ausone. Try from 2023."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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 red and black fruit layers are beautifully framed by firm yet fine-grained tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long and minerally."

WEINWISSER: "Tiefes Purpur mit violettem Rand. Komplexes, blaubeeriges Bouquet mit Heidelbeeren und Brombeeren, dahinter Rosenholz und Cassisblüten. Am kräftigen Gaumen mit viel Frische und muskulösem Körper. Im Finale mit viel Wildkirsche und Schlehensaft."

JEB DUNNUCK: "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."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, fester Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, zart floral unterlegte schwarze Waldbeerfrucht, reife Kirschen, ein Hauch von Mandarinenzesten und Nougat im Hintergrund. Komplex, engmaschig, feine Fruchtsüße, präsente Tannine, reife Herzkirschen im Abgang, bleibt haften, verfügt über gutes Entwicklungspotenzial."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "With a rich, ruby hue, the wine is floral, smoky, spicy and shows a touch of oak, along with ripe, red black raspberries and plums. Lusciously textured, with silky tannins and a wealth of sweet, ripe, pure, red fruits, the tastes as good as it feels on the palate. Give it 6-8 years to spread out, for the oak to integrate and the tannins to meld into the wine. Enjoy it for the next decade after that. It is interesting to note the blend as it was made 56% Cabernet Franc, 22% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is unique as it is the first vintage with such a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This dense bottling, the second wine of Château Ausone, is rich both in tannins and dark berry fruits. Produced from selected parcels and young vines, the wine has rich tannins that are already melding smoothly into the structure and fruit. Drink from 2024."

DECANTER: "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. Drinking Window 2025 - 2040"