Chapelle d'Ausone 2005

Tasted single blind at Southwold. This has a very pure nose, good definition; not so much oak as the other wines in this flight, holding back a little. Just pure Saint Emilion - fresh, crisp and pleasurable. This is very refined on the palate, medium-bodied, prudent oak, natural with touches of sloes and damson towards the finish. Sensuous and refined- and bloody gorgeous. Drink now-2018+ Tasted January 2009.

There are approximately 500 cases of the second wine, the 2005 La Chapelle d'Ausone, which makes a mockery of many grand vins produced at this estate in the fifties, sixties, and seventies. Made in the style of its bigger sibling, it possesses a deep ruby/purple color as well as a sweet nose of crushed rocks, figs, blackberries, raspberries, smoke, and earth. Softer and more approachable, I would not be surprised if it were preferred over its more powerful, backward sibling in a blind tasting. It is a pure, sweet, undeniably great effort in this vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2030.