1986 - Ausone, Saint-Emilion

The 1986 Ausone actually goes some way to compensate for the previous year’s disaster, which frankly should never have been released. Maybe there is some bottle variation as I have encountered one good and one mediocre example before, but this is the best by some way. It shows signs of age on the brick rim. However, I appreciate the freshness on the nose that feels more complex than the 1989, with aromas of mint, blackberry, cedar and aniseed. The palate is well defined with a keen thread of acidity, fresh and lively, decidedly “old school” in style with graphite and cedar on the Pauillac-like finish. This remained very fine in the glass over the course of two hours and might actually have been better than the 1982! Tasted at the Ausone vertical in London.