Chateau Ausone Saint-Emilion (Minimum order: 6 bottle case) FUTURES 2025 Pre-Arrival

Chateau Ausone Saint-Emilion (Minimum order: 6 bottle case) FUTURES 2025 Pre-Arrival

Producer Notes

Today, the 11th generation of the Vauthier family watches over this unique terroir of seven hectares on the hillside south of the village of Saint-Émilion. This historic estate, associated with the poet Ausone, dates back to Roman times. Our expert winegrowers pay meticulous attention to each vine, respecting an entire ecosystem. Every precise action from vineyard to cellar contributes to a single ambition: to give the terroir the most authentic expression possible.

Vineyard Notes

LOCATION: plateau and hillsides at the southern entrance to the village of Saint-Émilion. NATURE OF SOILS: clay-limestone with asteria.

Winemaking

Manual harvest with density sorting. Plot-by-plot vinification in small wooden vats. Gentle extraction controlled by gravity-fed rack and-return.

Vintage Notes

A warm, dry growing season gave small, thick-skinned, naturally concentrated berries, with preserved acidity at maturity. A series of micro-adjustments made in response to these conditions sharpened the definition of the vintage. The late June heatwave—exceptionally early in the cycle—proved to be a defining signature of this vintage. For the first time since 1994, every vat was assembled into a single grand vin: the most complete expression yet of Ausone’s limestone terroir, a vintage that demanded nothing be left out.

Critic tasting notes: (2025 vintage) 

"Dark ruby garnet, violet reflections, subtle edge brightening. Nuances of orange zest, ripe cherries, a hint of dark forest berries, floral touch, delicate precious wood spice, mineral nuances. Juicy, tightly meshed, red fruit nuances, fine spice notes, finesse-rich structure, elegant, well adhering, red berry on the finish, finesse-rich, mineral-salty, very good length, delicate style, delicate licorice, sure maturity potential." - Falstaff (100/100)

"With 2025, the oceanic influences in the perfume are strong, from there you find flowers, cigar wrapper, spice, licorice, and deep red fruits. The palate delivers intensity, concentration, fleshy, and palate-coating levels of fruit, minerality, herbs, peppery spices, plums, cherries, and black raspberries. The finish is more vibrant than usual, so you get to enjoy its wealth of fruit, with all of its vivacious character, length, elegance, and minerality. For Ausone, you can enjoy it relatively early, with only a modicum of aging. The wine blends 65% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. This marks the debut vintage for Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend for the Grand Vin. For the first time since 1995, (The year they created La Chapelle) no second wine was produced, hence the large Cabernet in the blend. 13.7% ABV. 3.5 pH. Harvesting took place September 2 - September 23. This is the earliest start to a harvest in Ausone's history. Yields were 29 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2032-2065." - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (98/100)

"A high-definition wine. Wow. The aromas are incredible, with roses, strawberries and crushed stones. So perfumed. It’s the magic of perfectly ripe cabernet franc. Medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins and a firm and silky finish. Sublime length and mouthfeel. Cool, subtle, sophisticated and stunning. So much definition. 13.7% alcohol. A blend of 65% cabernet franc, 30% merlot and 5% cabernet sauvignon." - James Suckling

PRESENTATION

For eleven generations, the Vauthier family has cultivated seven hectares of limestone plateau at the summit of Saint-Émilion’s southern slopes. A viticultural myth since Roman times, Ausone is a study in finesse, definition and restraint. From vineyard to underground quarry, every gesture is measured. An unmistakable identity re-emerges vintage after vintage, through wines that leave their mark on the palate—wines best experienced, not explained.

THE VINTAGE

For eleven generations, the Vauthier family has cultivated seven hectares of limestone plateau at the summit of Saint-Émilion’s southern slopes. A viticultural myth since Roman times, Ausone is a study in finesse, definition and restraint. From vineyard to underground quarry, every gesture is measured. An unmistakable identity re-emerges vintage after vintage, through wines that leave their mark on the palate—wines best experienced, not explained.

TERROIR

The vineyard is facing east, southeast. The plots are based on two distinct geological entities: a quarter of their total surface area on asteriated limestone and three quarters of their area on Fronsadais molasses. The vines have an average age of 50 years. The grape varieties are composed of 45% Merlot and 55% Cabernet Franc. The vineyard is located on a steep hillside facing east-southeast. It is surrounded at the top of the hill by a belt of rocks that shelter it from the north and west winds.

WINEMAKING

Alcoholic fermentation is successively carried out by numerous species of yeasts. Extraction is done through light pump-overs, two to three rackings, and sometimes one or two punchdowns. The wine is then placed in new barrels, made by three coopers. Once the malolactic fermentations are completed at the end of January, the barrels are moved down to the magnificent aging cellar located in a former quarry, where they remain for about twenty months before bottling. Vinifications at Ausone are done by plot and the final blends are made at the end of February, beginning of March.

AGEING

20 months in new oak barrels in underground cellars.

VARIETALS

Cabernet Franc 65%, Merlot 30%, Cabernet Sauvignon 5%.

TECHNICAL DATA

Surface area of the vineyard: 7.25 ha
Age of vines: 57 years old

TASTING

The colour is striking, deep purple. The nose offers an intense, rich bouquet of wild fruit, violet, spice, and limestone freshness. On the palate, a crescendo: a balanced attack gives way to velvet tannins and an immense, sculpted finish.