Castle Ausone - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2004

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe8/1/2014

Tasted at Bordeaux Index annual 10-year on tasting from an ex-château bottle. The Ausone 2004 possesses a sensual bouquet that demands more encouragement than the Cheval Blanc. It does not quite have the same complexity or nuance of its fellow Saint Emilion, opting for plusher and arguably more obvious Merlot-driven red fruits. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded tannins. It feels plush and sexy that is atypical in the context of this prevalently austere vintage, caressing with layers of wild strawberry and raspberry notes that belie that firm backbone on the finish. It just needs to develop more personality and that might come with time, so keep this snuggled up in the cellar for a few more years. Tasted March 2014.

La Revue du Vin de France

19 / 20

the9/3/2007

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

93 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2007

Good deep ruby. Currant, minerals and nutty oak on the nose. Lush, sweet and pliant on the attack, then more closed in the middle palate, with a chewy, rather serious texture and impressive density for the year. The black fruit flavors are complicated by minerals, dark chocolate and mocha. Finishes with a rather powerful tannic spine that will require a good decade of patience. I can envision the 2006 evolving in a similar direction. 93 (+?)

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/29/2007

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. 94+

Wine Spectator

95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2007

Pretty aromas of crushed blackberry, with hints of ash and light earth. Full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a long, caressing finish. Goes on and on. Such class. Sleek and racy. Best after 2012. 1,500 cases made

Wine Advocate

95-97 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/20/2006

An extraordinary effort, and a candidate for wine of the vintage, the 2004 Ausone boasts an inky/blue/purple color as well as a prodigious nose of crushed rocks, white flowers, sweet truffles, black raspberries, cherries, and graphite. Although possessing huge richness as well as medium to full body, it is incredibly light on its feet. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2065.

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/2/2005

Made in a backward, excruciatingly tannic style, the inky/ruby/purple-colored 2004 Ausone reveals sweet floral notes intertwined with incense, black raspberries, cassis, and mineral characteristics. It is a rigid, medium-bodied, concentrated, exceptionally pure effort that should age at a glacial pace. Although it does not possess the remarkable concentration and palate presence of the last three or four vintages, it is a super effort from perfectionist proprietor Alain Vauthier. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2040.

TAST

17 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/28/2005

Vin très puissant, serré, tendu, complexe mais avec un tannin formellement moins parfait que dans les derniers millésimes en raison d'un excès de vigueur. On percevra plus précisément l'allure du millésime dans quelques mois avec une prise de bois plus fondue.

Carnets de dégustation RVF

9.50 / 10

the4/22/2005

Composé à parts égales de cabernet franc et de merlot, ce millésime dévoile une robe dense à reflets violets et un nez discret. La bouche renferme une concentration extraordinaire, des tanins de grande classe et une superbe persistance.

Wine Spectator

92-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/30/2005

This shows very complex aromas of minerals, grapes and dried flowers. Hints of red licorice. Full-bodied, with a firm, racy tannin structure and a long, long finish. This is very close to 95-100. A little more than half Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot.