Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2025 Ausone needs a lot of swirling and coaxing, slowly unfurling to reveal notes of ripe blackberries, red currant preserves, and blueberry compote, plus nuances of rose bud tea, lilacs, crushed rocks, and underbrush, with a waft of lavender. The medium-bodied palate is simply electric with intense, energetic red and blue fruit layers, framed by very firm, very fine-grained tannins and incredible tension from the crisp acidity versus the concentrated flavors, finishing with epic length and depth. Stunning. The blend is 30% Merlot, 65% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. (LPB)

The 2025 Ausone represents the entirety of the vineyard this year after trial blends convinced the Vauthiers not to make a Chapelle d’Ausone. There is also 5% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend for the first time, from five tiny plots located on a terrace close to the quarry, so that heat reflects off the wall to ensure ripening. It was picked between September 2 and 23. Almost immediately, I noticed how that soupçon of Cabernet Sauvignon tilts the style of the Grand Vin in a different and, to my mind, positive direction. Beautifully defined, a little more sapid, perhaps just a tad less precocious than usual, there is a sense of classicism in this Ausone that I admire, terroir over growing season perhaps? The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, real depth, silky smooth, with layers of blackberry and raspberry fruit and hints of white pepper and clove. Very long, with a peacock's tail on the finish, this is a fascinating and alluring Ausone that will age with style. (NM)

Nuanced layers of rose petals and iris flowers, knitted down, textural and expansive, will take its sweet time to uncoil and uncurl, but you can see exactly how rewarding it will be to follow its journey. A stunning example of Ausone. Harvest September 2 to 23. No Chapelle. 30hl/h yield, 3.5ph, 100% new oak.