Chapelle d'Ausone 2006

There are only 6000 bottles (representing 25% of the total production) of Ausone's delicious second wine, the 2006 La Chapelle d'Ausone. Its dense ruby/purple hue is followed by an extraordinary bouquet of spring flowers, crushed rocks, creme de cassis, and hints of boysenberries as well as blueberries. With medium to full body, and stunning concentration, purity, and texture, it should drink well in 3-5 years, and last for two decades. As I wrote last year, today Ausone's second wine is dramatically better than most first wines made in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s under the previous administration.

Tasted blind at Southwold '06 Bordeaux tasting. This is reserved on the nose, a little introverted but good definition, blackberry leaf, a touch of oyster shell and boysenberry. The palate is dense, chewy tannins, black dusky fruit, a touch of fruitcake and spice, dense and introverted on the finish but good length. It lacks a little breeding, but is well made. Tasted January 2010.