Chateau Ausone, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016

The 2016 Ausone is a blend of 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot and it has a deep garnet-purple color. It is incredibly closed to begin, offering glimpses of juicy blackberries, plum preserves, and cedar chest, before unfurling to offer a whole array of exotic spices, sandalwood, violets, and notes of crushed rocks, plus a touch of smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is so closed and tightly knit to start off, delivering peeks at mineral, floral, and opulent spice accents, with a rock-solid structure of grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing with epic length. It needs a good 8 years+, but should cellar for at least 40 more!

A full point alcohol lower than the 2015 and yet it still retains its rich character, plenty of backbone and just the right level of creamy black fruits with pomegranate, smoked sandalwood, baking spice, graphite, coffee bean, huge drawn out length. A masterclass in showing why people get so excited about this vintage, with its depth and character and just joyfulness. 40hl/ha, 80% new oak. A clear standout in this exceptional lineup.

Very exotic and fascinating with dark-berry, floral and violet aromas that follow though to a full body that is tight and polished with ultra-fine and driven tannins. They really are amazing. A wine with such strength and finesse at the same time. Confident and real Ausone. A blend of 50 per cent merlot and 50 per cent cabernet franc. Better after 2025.

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.

The 2016 Ausone is magnificent. Seamless and supple, the 2016 hovers with striking aromatic nuance and layers of finely-knit fruit that gradually open in the glass. A whole range of floral and citrus notes perk up the sweet red/purplish berry fruit, with hints of lavender, blood orange and jasmine that develop as the wine is in the glass. The 2016 is a bit reserved today, but it is unquestionably very, very beautiful.

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.