Chateau Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2002

In many respects, the 2002 may be even more impressive than the 2003. A far more challenging vintage to get everything right, and especially in St.-Emilion, where many disappointments have been produced, this is one of the wines of the vintage and (along with Pavie) among the finest wines from the Right Bank. It possesses a deep purple color as well as a gorgeous nose of creme de cassis, blackberries, wet stones, and wonderfully perfumed floral notes. When the wine hits the palate, it exhibits impressive purity, medium to full body, a multi-layered texture, and extraordinary precision and intensity with a finish just short of 50 seconds. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2035.

(-) Saturated ruby-red. Explosive aromas of blackberry, minerals, violet, espresso and bitter chocolate. Fine-grained and pliant but with terrific precision of flavor and grip. Finishes juicy and very long, with substantial dusty tannins and excellent life and lift.