Wine Advisor
Ausone 1978
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Noticeably more garnet-colored than ruby, the 1978 Ausone remains a restrained, elegant, moderately concentrated, medium-weight example of this property's wines. The nose of dusty black-cherry fruit and damp earth needs to be coaxed from the glass. Softer, with slightly more fruit than the 1979, as well as a strong weedy, herbaceous element, the 1978 reveals plenty of tannin. The aggressive tannin again raises the question as to whether the concentration of fruit is sufficient. The 1978, a very good Ausone, is slightly softer than the 1979, and appears to have less potential. It is too early to dismiss this wine, but I wonder if the vineyard was harvested too soon? Last tasted, 5/93.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
A garnet/brick core with a tawny rim. The bouquet is very attractive, well-defined with scents of cigar box, pencil shavings and a touch of mouldy oranges. Good definition and less of the green pepper noticeable a couple of years back. The palate is medium-bodied, very well-balanced and similar to the previous wine, is imbued with a certain elegance and femininity thanks to its fine, supple tannins and well-pitched acidity. Touches of red cherry and wild strawberry on the finish, which is showing a little piquancy. Good length. Fine, if a little unexciting. Drink now-2012. Tasted September 2008.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
This appears less mature than the 1983. The nose is intense, redolent of many 1978`s with a conservative, stern-like presence. Dried herbs, forest floor and tobacco. The palate is slightly disjointed and to me, the Cabernet Franc seems under-ripe because there is a distinct green pepper note. Moderate complexity. Spicy, slightly volatile finish. I heard that another bottle tasted that week was superior to this. Tasted January 2005.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A classic Ausone, still backward and remarkably youthful, the 1978 has a dark ruby color, an aroma of ripe fruit, as well as scents of minerals and spicy oak. Medium bodied with high tannins and a long finish, this wine is austere, stubbornly slow to evolve, and obviously made for long-term cellaring. Will the fruit hold up? Anticipated maturity: Now-2015. Last tasted, 3/91.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Dark garnet, with notes of herbs, licorice, and fennel in an almost steely, very structured style, this medium-bodied wine lacks the flesh and intensity to stand up to the muscle and structure. Anticipated maturity: Now-2015. Last tasted, 12/00.
About the Producer
Located in the Saint-Emilion appellation on the right bank of Bordeaux, France, Chateau Ausone is one of only four Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe A estates in the appellation and one of the eight most prestigious estates in Bordeaux. The 7.25 hectares of vineyards at Château d'Orson are oriented to the east or south-east, allowing the vineyards to enjoy the full sun and to be protected from the north-west winds. The vineyard's proximity to the Dordogne, which is regulated by the river, provides an ideal microclimate for the grapes to grow, and the fact that the vineyard was not seriously affected by the severe frosts of 1892 and 1956 is testament to the terroir. While Merlot is the dominant wine in the Saint-Emilion appellation, Cabernet Franc is the preferred wine at Château d'Ausone, with Cabernet Franc planted in the vineyard, supplemented by some Merlot and a very small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon, which is used only for the secondary wines (Chapelle d'Ausone, Saint-Emilion). 'Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France). The average age of these vines is 52 years, with the oldest vines, planted in the early 20th century, being up to 100 years old and planted at a density of 6,500-12,000 vines per hectare. The soils are predominantly calcareous clay and limestone, which is the main reason for the minerality of the red wines of Château Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe, France. The organic and biodynamic approach to vineyard management and winemaking at Château Ausone is a commitment to producing wines that express the full character of the terroir. In the vineyards, the staff takes care of the vines, planting fruit trees and aromatic plants, allowing insects, birds and even bats to come and go, in order to release the vitality of the soil and promote the harmony of the entire vineyard ecosystem. During the harvest, the grapes are very carefully selected and only healthy grapes of optimum ripeness are used to make the wine. During the winemaking process, the treated grapes are first subjected to Cold Maceration to extract the pigments and flavours from the skins. Next, alcoholic fermentation takes place in large traditional oak barrels, followed by Malolactic Fermentation in small French oak barrels. After this, the estate's main wines are aged in 100% new oak barrels for up to 24 months, adjusted to the characteristics of the vintage. The wines are aged in the estate's natural limestone cellars, where the humidity and temperature are stable and provide excellent conditions for the wines to age. The wines of Château d'Orson have always been known as "the poet's wine", with a deep colour, very pure aromas of dark fruit, liquorice, flowers and crushed stone, full-bodied but not too heavy, and with great potential for ageing. Robert Parker once said: "If patience is not your virtue, there is no point in buying a bottle of Ouzo". The quality of Château Ouzon's wines has been consistent, with the best vintages including 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2001, 2000 and 1998, to name but a few. In addition, the estate's secondary wine was born in 1995 from a selection of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from the young vines of the estate. Thanks to the limestone soils of the estate, this wine is rich in mineral flavours, with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, cassis and flowers, a full-bodied wine with velvety tannins and a long, impressive finish. With Robert Parker and James Suckling scores of over 90 points in almost all vintages, this wine has long ageing potential.
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