The estate
The absolute jewel of Saint-Émilion, Château Ausone dominates the landscape from a natural amphitheatre of steep hillsides at the gateway to the historic village. Just 7 hectares of vines make up this legendary estate, clinging to the most spectacular limestone slopes in the appellation. This unique configuration gives Ausone and its second wine, Chapelle d’Ausone, a rare intimacy and an extraordinary identity, where each parcel contributes to the birth of an exceptional wine.
A thousand-year-old history
The name Ausone pays homage to the Latin poet Ausonius, a major figure of the IVᵉ century, whose presence attests to the age of the vineyard. The name Chapelle d’Ausone, meanwhile, refers to the 13th-century chapel of the Madeleine, lined with vines, overlooking the estate. For centuries, the vines have taken root here in the rock, creating a place steeped in history. Owned by the Vauthier family for several generations, Château Ausone embodies exemplary family continuity, guided by absolute rigour and a deep-rooted loyalty to the soul of the place.
A breathtaking terroir
Ausone’s terroir is one of the most unusual in Bordeaux. The vines sink their roots into asteriated limestone, sometimes almost bare, offering exceptional natural drainage. The steep slopes, altitude and south to south-east exposure create an ideal microclimate, temperate and luminous, conducive to slow, perfectly balanced ripening.
A blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot
The grape varieties are based on a rare balance between Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The Cabernet Franc, here in its favoured terroir, brings tension, verticality and aromatic complexity. The Merlot completes the picture with its fleshiness, depth and velvety texture. The vines, on average over 50 years old, produce naturally low yields, guaranteeing exceptional concentration.
High-precision viticulture
At Ausone, every gesture is thought through over time. Extreme care is taken in viticulture, with meticulous work on the soil, gentle pruning and constant observation of the plants. The slopes mean that most of the work has to be done by hand, reinforcing the direct link between man and vine. The grapes are harvested individually and at perfect ripeness, reflecting the diversity and richness of the terroir.
The ultimate expression of place
Vinification is carried out with restraint and precision, focusing on the purity of the fruit and the finesse of the tannins. Fermentation takes place in wooden vats, with measured extractions and gravity-assisted working of the must and wine. Maturing is long and demanding, lasting around 20 months in perfectly integrated new French oak barrels. The result is a wine of rare depth: dense without being heavy, vibrant, of infinite length, a true embodiment of time and rock.
