Avis professionnels
Robert Parker (99)
The 2016 Ausone is a blend of 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it's quite closed at first glance, slowly unfurling to reveal the most incredible perfume of violets, chocolate-covered cherries, warm black plums, Black Forest cake and roasted nuts with suggestions of charcuterie, wood smoke and cedar chest. The medium to full-bodied palate offers a quiet intensity of flavors that grow in the mouth to unveil layer after layer of black and red berries intertwined with beautiful savory notions framed by firm yet velvety tannins, finishing with epic length and amazing energy. It practically tingles on the palate!
James Suckling (98)
Great nose of red fruit with just a hint of pomegranate. So poised and precise for a wine with this much concentration and structure. The richness is welded to a stack of fine tannins that gives this a stunning balance of ripeness and vitality. Very long, focused finish that has a lot of drive, without being a jot domineering. Drink or hold. Château Quintus vertical tasting. SP.
Jancis Robinson (17.50)
Tasted blind. Mid crimson. Sweet, medium intensity and only slightly medicinal. Quite a bit of alcohol and acidity that are not by any means married. Very youthful. Finish is for the moment decidedly stringy. Then falls away. Ch Quintus? (JR)
Vinous (97)
The 2016 Ausone initially left me nonplussed, and so I left my glass for 10 or 15 minutes before returning to a different wine. The nose had opened up to reveal red cherries, wild strawberry, rose petals and touches of crushed stone and pencil shavings. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins and perfectly matched acidity. This is very refined and fleshy, almost Burgundian toward the finish, with just the right amount of bitterness. A brilliant wine, but it needs time. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Jeb Dunnuck (98)
The 2016 Château Ausone is up with the crème de la crème of the vintage and isn’t far off the thrilling 2015, although it shows a more seamless, elegant character. Loads of spice, crushed violets, floral notes and subtle oak give way to a full-bodied beauty that has thrilling cassis and black raspberry fruits, polished tannin, perfect balance, and a great, great finish. This thrilling Ausone needs 4-6 years of bottle age but will keep for 30 years or more.
