2019 Chapelle D'Ausone

96 POINTS

James Suckling

Such pure and beautiful aromas of blackberries and black cherries with violets and red roses. So aromatic and enticing. Full-bodied with extremely integrated tannins that are velvety and curated. Fresh and sweet fruit at the end with an orange-peel undertone. Crushed stone and sandalwood, too. This is a very beautiful second wine of Ausone. 60% cabernet franc and 40% merlot. Drink after 2025.

95 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

The second wine of Ausone comes from specific parcels of the vineyard. With 60% of Cabernet Franc in the blend with Merlot, the wine is structured and firm, perfumed and rich. It will age well, drink from 2026.

94 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2019 Chapelle d'Ausone is dense, powerful and beautifully layered in the glass. Wild red cherry, plum, exotic spice, dried flowers, mocha, rose petal and espresso are some of the many notes that give the bouquet its beguiling personality. There's real textural intensity and resonance here. As has been the case for some time, Chapelle d'Ausone is superb. If anything, it suffers from the perception of being a 'second wine.' It is that only in name.

93 POINTS

William Kelley - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

A blend of wine from young vines with a few barriques of declassified Ausone (though anything that doesn't make the grade is sold off in bulk), the 2019 Chapelle d'Ausone exhibits attractive aromas of cherries, sweet berry fruit, violets, spices, rose petals and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and seamless, it's elegant and refined, with a deep core of fruit and impeccable balance.

92 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2019 Chapelle d’Ausone, which represents around one-third of the production, has a very expressive bouquet of well-defined red berry fruit, cedar and touches of graphite. Undergrowth and hints of sage emerge with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and very well balanced, the Cabernet Franc (40%) again lending a real Left Bank identity toward the finish. Very fine.

92 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2019 Chapelle d'Ausone has a taut nose, a mixture of red and black fruit, quite marine influenced with a tang of Japanese nori. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins, fine depth though not the most powerful Saint-Émilion, compensating with admirable elegance on the finish. Very fine. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.

James Lawther MW - JancisRobinson.com

60% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot. Barrel sample.Purple-crimson. Fragrant floral, dark-fruit and liquorice notes. Palate delicate and lithe with very fine tannins. Almost weightless but the structure is there. Long, clean, persistent finish. A bit reticent but fine. Score: 17/20