La Chapelle d'Ausone 2012

Wineadvocate

One can’t say enough about the amazing job that Alain Vauthier and his daughter have done at this historic property on the decomposed limestone slopes of St.-Emilion. About half of their production goes into the second wine, Chapelle D’Ausone, which gives you an indication of the compulsive perfectionist attitude of the Vauthiers. The 2012 Chapelle D’Ausone has a dense ruby/purple color and is rich, broad and expansive, with notes of plum, blueberry and black raspberry fruit, powdered chalk and flowers. The wine is medium to full-bodied, beautifully pure and long and rich. This is better than many of the vintages of Ausone in the 1940s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, which says a lot about what Vauthier has achieved. Drink it over the next 20-25 years.

Vinous

The 2012 Chapelle d'Ausone is boisterous, open and deeply expressive, all of which provide tons of insight into what makes this Saint-Emilion property so special. Rose petal, mint and savory herbs lead to a core of dark red/purplish fruit. In this vintage, the Chapelle is unusually dominated by Cabernet Franc, which gives the wine much of its aromatic signature, poise and brilliant energy. This is a fabulous second wine from Ausone. The blend is 60% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. - AG 07/2015