The 2022 Chapelle d'Ausone is a Bordeaux blend composed of 60% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine hails from the esteemed Saint Emilion sub-region of Bordeaux, France, and is characterized by its deep garnet-purple hue. It is sealed with a traditional cork closure.
The wine has garnered a range of positive reviews from several professional wine critics. James Suckling awarded it an impressive 95 points, describing it as "full-bodied, very tight and focused on the palate with a linear acid and tannin backbone. Racy at the end. Contrasty. Plenty of energy. Just takes off."
Jeb Dunnuck echoed the high praise, giving the wine 96 points and noting its "vivid purple hue, medium to full body, ripe, present tannins, and a great finish." He also highlighted the wine's notes of "Cassis, red plums, graphite, chalky minerality, violet notes, and a hint of espresso."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate provided a slightly more reserved score of 93 points, but still acknowledged its quality, stating that the wine offers "aromas of cherries, raspberries, and rose petals mingled with subtle hints of incense. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it's taut and youthfully firm, concluding with a mineral finish."
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com also gave the wine a 95-point rating, emphasizing its "wild flowers, black raspberries, incense, and licorice nuanced perfume," as well as its "creamy, lush, fresh" palate with a strong sense of minerality. He noted that it fills the palate with flavors of "chocolate, mint, spice, licorice, and black cherries."
Jane Anson described the wine as "rich and confident in its construction" and "highly accomplished." She highlighted its flavors of "tobacco, cigar box, licorice, chocolate, creamy damson, black cherry puree," and noted its "velvety tannins."
Decanter praised the wine's "strongly fragrant" nose and "smooth and supple" texture, awarding it 94 points. The review highlighted the wine's "good intensity of juicy, crunchy fruit and well-balanced tannins."
Vinous and The Wine Independent also provided favorable reviews, each awarding the wine 93 points. Vinous praised its "svelte, silky smooth tannins and fine acidity," while The Wine Independent noted its "firm, fine-grained tannins and amazing acidity to support the dense, generous fruit."
In summary, the 2022 Chapelle d'Ausone is a highly regarded Bordeaux blend known for its vibrant fruit flavors, structured tannins, and mineral finish. It has received consistent praise across various reviews, making it a noteworthy selection for enthusiasts of Bordeaux wines.