Ausone 2000 (1.5L)

100 RP / 100 WCI / 98 WA / 98 WE / 97+ VM / 97 WS / 19 JR

Proprietor Alain Vauthier has produced a prodigious wine that captures the essence of Ausone's terroir. A saturated black/purple color is followed by sensational aromas of ink, cherries, blackberries, blueberries, and that wet stones/liquid minerality characteristic. The wine has phenomenal presence on the palate as well as astonishing richness and purity. Despite its extract, power, and richness, it is remarkably light, with a surreal delicacy. It is a tour de force in winemaking and a compelling expression of this magical terroir. It should prove to be legendary, but sadly, anyone over the age of 50 will probably not live to see it come close to maturity. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2075. 100 pts Robert Parker

If your thing is ripe, red fruits poured over rocks, stones and salty minerals with the weight and density of motor oil, a perfume that packs flowers, wet earth, truffle, herbs, oceanic brine and a basket of red and black pit fruits, with a finish that coats your palate, teeth and gums for over 60 seconds, this could be your wine. Still young, but with a long future, and by long, I mean 60-80 years, this is what great wine is all about. If you are planning on popping a bottle, give it 2-3 hours in the decanter, else wait a decade for it to evolve, soften and add even more complexity.-Jeff Leve, Wine Cellar Insider

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index’s 2000 tasting in London. The Ausone 2000 has a very pure nose with brambly black fruit, cassis, plum, touch of tar and liquorices and...yes...a hint of white chocolate. Wonderful definition and opulence, blossoming in the glass and developing a savoury touch from some ripe Cabernet Franc. The palate is full-bodied with lithe tannins, very fine and more feminine than its peers. Very well poised with red-berried fruit, raspberry, wild strawberry and a touch of glycerine. This is very polished and utterly sensuous, with the precision on the finish as good as any you will find in this vintage. Superb. Drink now-2040. Tasted March 2010.-Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate

Forget all those garage wines, forget the upstarts of Saint-Emilion. When you want real class, you have to turn to Ausone. What a wine - magnificently dense and opaque, hugely rich and sensual. Yet it doesn't seem in the least decadent - for deep inside the wine is a huge backbone of ripe tannins. Keep for at least 10 years — Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast

Bright ruby-red. Profound nose melds raspberry, black cherry, mocha and minerals. Wonderfully silky and spherical, with monumental solidity and yet incredible inner-mouth perfume. This builds and builds toward the back, finishing with big but suave tannins and extraordinary minerally length. One of the two or three greatest wines I tasted on my spring trip to the Bordeaux region.-Stephen Tanzer, Vinous Media

This is like a perfectly cut piece of silk fabric. Every angle is just right, every texture great. Fabulous aromas of tobacco, mineral and cool berry fruit. Full-bodied, with loads of silky tannins and a length that goes on and on. Very racy. Very sexy. Best wine I have ever had from this estate.-Wine Spectator