A blend of 56% Cabernet Franc, 22% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Chapelle d'Ausone sings of black raspberries, kirsch and plum preserves with hints of unsmoked cigars, pencil lead, lavender and chocolate box plus a waft of garrigue. Medium-bodied and fantastically elegant in the mouth, the elegant red and black fruit layers are beautifully framed by firm yet fine-grained tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long and minerally. 2020 - 2040
Score: 94+ Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (Interim No), November 2018
The 2016 Chapelle d’Ausone has a pure, seductive bouquet, offering scents of black cherries, cassis and violet petals that soar from the glass while maintaining wonderful precision. Perhaps compared to the 2016 La Clotte, the new oak (80%) will need longer to fully assimilate, but there is great density and grip to this Chapelle d’Ausone, and the very long and quite intense finish bodes well for the future. One of the best ever made. Drink 2022-2045
Score: 94 Neal Martin, vinous.com (Jan 2019), January 2019
The 2016 Chapelle d'Ausone has the highest proportion of Cabernet Franc at 56% this year, complemented by 22% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon. Matured in 80% new oak, it has a very floral, incense and rose petal-scented bouquet that blossoms from the glass. There is an underlying mineral vein here, but it may take a few years to come out. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, crisp acidity, cohesive with good backbone, with fine salinité on the finish. It is just a fabulous Deuxième Vin.
Drink Date 2022 - 2045
Score: 93/95 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (230), April 2017
