Château Ausone 是波爾多右岸的Saint-Émilion產區的頂級酒莊，而且從Saint-Émilion開始實施頂級酒莊分級制度的時候，它就一直穩居金字塔尖端的Premier Grand Cru Classé “A ”，可說是Saint-Émilion產區的王者！酒莊名稱是源自羅馬時代4世紀時候的政治家兼詩人Ausonius，據說這個莊園曾是他的住所。現在的莊主是Alain Vauthier，從17世紀開始其家族就一直是Château Ausone的主人。
本莊園位於Saint-Émilion村邊陡峭的坡上，僅有7.5公頃的葡萄園，平均樹齡超過50歲。其特別之處是種植高比例(55 %)的Cabernet Franc，而且是生長在表土淺薄的石灰岩層上，讓它的酒質特別紮實而細緻，在Saint-Émilion的酒中獨樹一幟。另外1990年代後期開始局部實行生物動力法來管理葡萄園，也聘請了Michel Roland來當釀酒顧問，讓整體品質非常明顯地大幅提升，證據是自1995年份之後，Wine Advocate的評分從未低於91分，甚至還3度獲得100分的極高評價！
1995年起，本酒莊才開始生產二軍酒La Chapelle de Ausone，50 % Cabernet Franc和50 % Merlot的組合，年產量只有600箱左右。雖說它是二軍酒，但是其品質可能還比許多Saint-Émilion頂級酒莊更優異，獲得許多酒評家們的高度推薦。
One of the vintage’s most compelling wines (what’s new about that?), Alain Vauthier’s beloved 2004 Ausone has closed down considerably since I tasted it out of barrel, but it remains among the most concentrated wines of the vintage. Furthermore, along with Petrus, it will probably be the longest-lived. A dense purple color is accompanied by a celestial perfume of blue and black fruits, wet stones, flowers, and incense. On the palate, the wine exhibits exceptional power and concentration, but this historic terroir has also provided a surreal lightness to the wine’s impression. Beautiful flavors, sensational depth, and abundant structure suggest this 2004 will not be close to full maturity for 8-10 years. It should last for four decades.
WA:94+ Drink Date: 2007-2047
