This is a refined, elegant red from a challenging, cooler vintage. Proprietor Alain Vauthier produced a wine noted for intensity, balance, and finesse rather than power. From roughly 50-year-old vines on limestone-clay slopes, it shows complex aromas of creamy wild blackberries, spring flowers, raspberries, blackcurrants, crushed rocks/minerality, violets, and subtle cedar/spice notes. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with pure dark fruit, focused minerality, vibrant acidity, silky/supple tannins, and a long, elegant finish. Production was limited (around 1,500–1,635 cases). It is more forward and approachable earlier than many Ausone vintages.

Critics Reviews:

• Robert Parker (Wine Advocate): 94/100 — “A candidate for one of the wines of the vintage, rivaling Pavie and Lafite Rothschild. Deep ruby/purple hue… beautiful nose of spring flowers, raspberries, black currants, and crushed rocks. Dense, medium to full-bodied, and pure with sweet tannin… surprisingly evolved, forward style. Can be drunk with great pleasure… yet promises to evolve for two decades.”

• Neal Martin: 92/100 — High-toned bouquet with salted licorice; medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity, good depth, and a caressing finish.

• Wine Spectator: 91/100 — Berry and milk chocolate aromas with floral hints; medium- to full-bodied with silky tannins and a delicious, fruity finish. Refined and caressing. Best after 2013.

• Jancis Robinson: 16.5–17/20 — Heady and rich but a bit angular in this damp vintage, with some green notes.

• Other notes (e.g., Jeff Leve/The Wine Cellar Insider ~94): Charming, polished, fresh, elegant, with sweet black cherries, black raspberries, plums, earthy and floral notes; already pleasurable.

Drink Window:

• Ready and at peak or near-peak for many bottles. Common ranges include Drink 2015–2041 (Berry Bros. & Rudd), 2010–2030, or broadly 2012/2013–2028/2030+. It can continue aging gracefully with proper storage; tertiary notes are developing.

Serving Temperature:

• 15.5–18°C (60–64°F). Cooler end (~15.5–16°C / ~60°F) preserves freshness and lift. Decant 1–2+ hours (or more when younger) to open aromas.

Food Pairings:

Classic pairings for this elegant Right Bank Bordeaux:

• Roast or grilled red meats (beef, lamb, veal, duck, game, pigeon)
• Roast chicken or pork
• Mushroom dishes (truffle risotto, wild mushroom tart)
• Hearty fish (e.g., tuna)
• Asian dishes, pasta
• Aged cheeses (Comté, Gruyère, etc.) Specific suggestions include veal roast or dishes with berry glazes.

This is a high-quality, limited-production wine prized for elegance in a lighter vintage. Store properly (cool, dark, stable humidity) if holding further.