Château Ausone

Ausone takes its name from the Roman poet Ausonius who owned over 100 acres of vineyard around Saint Emilion. It is said that he owned a grand villa in “Lucaniac” (the ancient name for the town), although whether it occupied the exact same location as the present vineyard is perhaps a romantic notion.

The vineyard itself covers just 7-hectares on a steep southeast-facing incline, three-quarters on the actual côte and the remainder atop the cellars around the church (you can just see the vines in the photo at the top of the page.) The soil is a mixture of limestone and clay, becoming sandier on the lower reaches where the grapes exhibit slightly lower acidity.

Chateau Ausone possesses one of the most prized terroirs in all of Bordeaux.  It is quite hilly with clay limestone soils over a bed of Asteria limestone.  The vines are, on average, 50 years old and enjoy a southeastern exposure.

Plant Density: 6,500-12,600 plants/ha

Soil: Clay and limestone on a bed of Asteria limestone

Average Age of the Vines: 50 years old

Average Yield: 32 hl/ha

Annual Production: 18,000 bottles

Grape Varieties: 55% Cabernet Franc; 45% Merlot

Vinification: Traditional; depending on the vintage, fermentation and maceration last between 3-5 weeks in thermoregulated wooden vats

Aging: Up to 2 years in French oak barrels with 100% new wood

Serving Temperature: About 15°C

Food Pairings: This wine matches well with many different kinds of meat, as well as Asian dishes, and pasta

Plant Density: 6,500-12,600 plants/ha

Soil: Clay and limestone on a bed of Asteria limestone

Grape Varietals: 50% Cabernet Franc; 50% Merlot

Annual Production: 9,000 bottles

Vinification: Traditional; depending on the vintage, fermentation and maceration last between 3-5 weeks in thermoregulated wooden vats

Aging: Up to 2 years in French oak barrels with 100% new wood