The 2016 Chapelle d'Ausone is a Bordeaux blend from the renowned Saint Emilion region in Bordeaux, France. This wine, produced by Chapelle d'Ausone, is the second wine of Château Ausone, and it features a blend of 56% Cabernet Franc, 22% Merlot, and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon. The alcohol content of the wine is 13.5%, and it is bottled with a cork closure.
James Suckling awarded this wine an impressive score of 95, highlighting its "gently smoky nuances with dark stones and a spicy edge to the ripe blackberries and plums." He describes the palate as "very succulent, smoothly rounded and attractive," with a vibrant expression of rich fruit. He recommends trying this wine from 2023.
Vinous, also scoring it 95, praised the wine for its "intense black cherries, raspberry coulis, and marmalade aromas on the nose," and noted its "fine-grained tannins" and "tangible mineralité and tension on the finish." Neal Martin from Vinous commended the wine's nobility and deliciousness, calling it "pure class."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave a score of 94+, with Lisa Perrotti-Brown describing it as "fantastically elegant" with flavors of "black raspberries, kirsch, and plum preserves" and additional hints of "unsmoked cigars, pencil lead, lavender, and chocolate box." She emphasized the wine's "firm yet fine-grained tannins and lovely freshness."
Wine Enthusiast also awarded it 94, noting the rich tannins and dark berry fruits. The review suggests that the wine, made from selected parcels and young vines, will be best enjoyed from 2024.
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com scored it 94 as well, highlighting the "floral, smoky, spicy" notes, along with "ripe, red black raspberries and plums." He recommended giving it 6-8 years to integrate the oak and tannins, suggesting it will be enjoyable for the next decade.
Decanter gave the wine a score of 93, emphasizing the high levels of Cabernet Franc, which contribute to the wine's distinctive "deep, powerful and beautiful take on a St-Émilion limestone terroir." Jane Anson praised the wine's floral and well-fleshed-out raspberry and loganberry fruits, predicting its peak from 2025-2040.
Jeb Dunnuck, also scoring it 94, described the wine as a "gem" with "terrific notes of cassis, smoked tobacco, licorice, and bouquet garni." He praised its "mouthfilling texture, fine tannins, and purity of fruit," recommending it for consumption over the next 15 years.
In summary, the 2016 Chapelle d'Ausone is a highly acclaimed Bordeaux blend that has garnered excellent reviews for its aromatic complexity, elegant structure, and rich fruit profile. It is noted for its aging potential and is recommended for enjoyment from 2023 onwards.