2003 Chateau Ausone Premier Grand Cru Classe A, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 12x75cl

JancisRobinson.com 18

As soon as the cork was drawn, an intensely sweet, ripe bouquet filled the room. Nuanced ruby hues. Very sweet and rich on the nose with a (not unpleasant) hint of dried fruit. Intense graphite as the wine hits the palate but there is still masses of tannin (see Pavie 2003). Needs a long decant…Very, very long and with masses of tension between the dry and the sweet. [21/02/2017]

Anticipated maturity: 2018-2038

Robert Parker 100

Amazing! The limestone soils of Ausone appear to have been the perfect foil for resisting the extreme heat and drought of June, July and August, 2003. This black/purple-colored effort boasts a glorious nose of violets, truffles, lead pencil shavings, blueberry and blackberry liqueur. Full-bodied with staggering concentration, a voluptuous texture, low acidity and well-integrated, melted tannins, this deep, multidimensional, profound Bordeaux is beginning to drink exceptionally well. It should continue to do so for another two decades or more. [Robert M. Parker, Jr., 28/08/2014]

Anticipated maturity: 2014-2034

Vinous 95+

Full ruby. Black raspberry, mocha, minerals, graphite and nutty oak on the superripe nose. Extravagantly rich and sweet in the mouth without coming off as heavy. This boasts extraordinary fruit intensity and verve (it’s hard to imagine cabernet franc better than this), and finishes with great palate-staining persistence. But this powerfully tannic wine may already be starting to shut down in the bottle. Like the 2005, it will need a decade of aging at a minimum, and possibly a lot longer. [Stephen Tanzer, 05/01/2006]