Chapelle d'Ausone - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2020

The Wine Cellar Insider

94 / 100

byJeff Levethe3/22/2023

Flowers, leafy herbs, mint, espresso, cherries, plums and a hint of blueberries come alive in the aromatic profile. But, the best is yet to come with its array of minerals, rocks, stones and salt-tinted red and black fruits that cross your palate with length, lift, precision, purity and soft, smooth-textures. It is difficult to believe that this is their second wine. Drink from 2025-2040.

Vinous

95 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe2/24/2023

The 2020 Chapelle d’Ausone is 60% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Rich, deep and expressive, the Chapelle is loaded with class. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, dried herbs, ginger, leather and dried flowers infuse the Chapelle with notable depth and complexity. This mid-weight, exotic Saint-Émilion is loaded with character. The clean, mineral-drenched finish is a thing of absolute beauty. The Chapelle is a blend of young vines and barrels that don't make it into the Grand Vin. In a word: dazzling.

Vinous

93 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/15/2023

The 2020 Chapelle d'Ausone, raised entirely in new oak, is relatively backward on the nose, just like the 2018, and demands encouragement to eke out scents of blackberry, cedar, crushed limestone and a touch of pencil shaving. Very focused, though there is something bashful about the aromatics at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied and extremely pure, with pliant tannins and a silky smooth texture. Candied orange peel infuses the black fruit towards the mineral-driven finish. The more you remain in its presence, the more you feel the quality of this Deuxième Vin.

Vinous

93-95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe6/25/2021

The 2020 Chapelle d’Ausone has a well defined, focused bouquet. Tightly-wound at first, the 2020 opens with lavender and incense aromas infusing the red berry fruit. Touches of rose petal emerge with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with smooth tannins and moderate depth. A discrete white pepper note builds towards the finish that is vivacious and vibrant. I suspect that this might close down a little after bottling, but there is great potential.

Le Figaro

93-94 / 100

the6/2/2021

Un nez délicieux de fruits rouges, de cassis, d'épices légères et de tabac frais, qui rappelle le moelleux d'un pudding anglais. Une bouche succulente, à la fois dense et épicée, avec des tannins encore très marqués, et des arômes de café et de cacao.

Decanter.com

94 / 100

byJane Ansonthe5/25/2021

This has a beautifully nuanced yet deep flavour, showing the tight pared-back salinity and juice of limestone alongside fleshy blackberry fruits. There are firm but flexible tannins, it has grip and tension and frankly all the things that you want from a Chapelle, giving a generous hint of what you can expect from Ausone itself. First year of official conversion to organic farming. 3.66pH. 100% new oak.

Anthocyanes

94-96 / 100

byYohan Castaingthe5/11/2021

Très graphite, légèrement terrien, voici un Chapelle aux notes de graphite, de réglisse, de fruits noirs bien murs pour une expression plus fermée et plus stricte. Très épicé. En bouche, le toucher de bouche est toujours aussi précis et satiné, frais et délicat avec une puissance d'ensemble remarquable. Moins expressif, il n'en reste pas moins un vin de grande garde (20 à 30 ans). Un très grand second vin.

Bernard Burtschy

96-97 / 100

byBernard Burtschythe5/10/2021

My Bettane + Desseauve

93 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/7/2021