2020 - Ausone, Saint-Emilion

The 2020 Ausone, composed of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc, is deep garnet-purple in color. After a shake or two, the nose erupts with the most gorgeous perfume of juicy blueberries, baked black plums, and black raspberries, followed by nuances of pencil shavings, iron ore, rose oil, and black truffles with a waft of cedar. The medium to full-bodied palate is taut with shimmery, energetic black and blue berry layers, framed by super-ripe, super fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length and a whole firework display of floral, mineral, and bright, pure fruit notes. This is incredible!

A stunning wine, that seduces with a creamy luscious kick of spiced raspberry and blueberry fruit on the first moments, then the more austere touch of limestone, with fingers of orange peel, lemongrass, steel and slate add a stricter character. This is just a masterclass in clever winemaking, in knowing exactly when to step back and let the terroir take over. The depths on offer here are both hidden and yet fully apparent, and as it gathers steam through the palate, gunsmoke and mocha appear, along with the tell-tale oyster shell salinity on the finish. 100% new oak, Pauline Vauthier winemaker with cellar master Philippe Baillarguet. First year of official conversion to organic farming.

The 2020 Ausone has a very crisp and precise bouquet, with a mixture of red and black fruit, crushed stone, black truffle and cedar that gains intensity in the glass. Medium in body, the palate is composed and refined with fine tannins. A taut yet brilliantly defined, pixelated finish goes on and on and on. This is one of the Vauthiers' finest wines in recent years. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.