Introducing the 2016 Ausone, a Bordeaux Blend from the esteemed Saint Emilion region in Bordeaux, France. This wine is a true gem, showcasing the excellence and finesse that Ausone is renowned for. With its deep garnet-purple color, it immediately captivates the eye, inviting you to explore its complex and alluring aromas.
On the nose, the 2016 Ausone entices with a great presence of red fruit, heightened by a subtle hint of pomegranate. This wine is incredibly poised and precise, showcasing a remarkable balance of concentration and structure. The richness on the palate is seamlessly integrated with a stack of fine tannins, resulting in a wine that exudes ripeness and vitality.
Renowned wine critic James Suckling awarded this wine an impressive score of 98 points, praising its long and focused finish that possesses a remarkable drive without being overpowering. He recommends enjoying it now or cellaring it for further development. Lisa Perrotti-Brown of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also lauded the 2016 Ausone, awarding it an exceptional score of 99 points. She describes the wine as having an incredible perfume of violets, chocolate-covered cherries, warm black plums, and roasted nuts. The palate offers a quiet intensity of flavors, unveiling layer after layer of black and red berries, complemented by savory notes and framed by firm yet velvety tannins. Perrotti-Brown notes the wine's epic length and amazing energy, remarking that it practically tingles on the palate.
This wine has received high praise from other esteemed critics as well. Jeff Leve of TheWineCellarInsider.com awarded it a score of 99 points, describing its character as evoking molten minerals blended with perfect fruits. Wine Enthusiast also awarded it 99 points, noting its elegance, concentration, and generous Cabernet Franc characteristics. Jeb Dunnuck praised its seamless, elegant character and polished tannins, awarding it a score of 98 points.
Decanter and Jane Anson both consider the 2016 Ausone to be exceptional, with Decanter awarding it a score of 99 points and Anson giving it a perfect score of 100 points. Decanter praises the wine's incredible succulent power and the remarkable clarity of expression that runs through the delicate yet fleshy palate. Anson describes the wine as powerful, with hefty, structured tannins and notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and liquorice root. She emphasizes its quality, complexity, and the pummice stone and slate-edged structure that leads to a mouthwatering finish.
In conclusion, the 2016 Ausone is a wine of unparalleled quality and finesse. It has received exceptional scores from renowned critics, who praise its concentration, balance, and remarkable expression of fruit and savory notes. This wine is a true masterpiece that will undoubtedly reward those who choose to savor it now or cellar it for further maturation.