Chapelle d'Ausone - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2022

Alexandre Ma

95

byAlexandre Mathe3/10/2025

The 2022 Chapelle d’Ausone is, without question, the finest second wine on the Right Bank—so much so that in an average vintage, it could easily stand alongside Château Ausone. This wine showcases Cabernet Franc’s elegance in a lusciously refined manner, skillfully sidestepping the powerful tannins of the 2022 vintage. Both aromatically and on the palate, it brims with plush, juicy berry notes, unfolding like a burst of fruit pastilles. Yet, its defining essence lies in the persistent thread of violets that runs through every sip. This second wine of this caliber is simply irresistible—one sip is enough to enchant, to captivate, and to leave a lasting impression.

Wine Advocate

93

byWilliam Kelleythe3/7/2025

The 2022 Chapelle d'Ausone has turned out nicely, offering up aromas of sweet mulberries, blackberries and plums mingled with hints of violets, mint and creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, rich and textural, it's concentrated and generously extracted, with ripe acids and a saline, oak-inflected finish.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

95

byJane Ansonthe3/7/2025

A great vintage that shows the paradox of limestone, its ability to deliver fragrance and finesse and a touch of austerity even in the most opulent of vintages. 100% new oak for ageing, last year of organic conversion. A beautiful Chapelle that will charm for decades.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94

byJeff Levethe3/4/2025

Chapelle d'Ausone

Jeb DUNNUCK

96

byJeb Dunnuckthe2/28/2025

The second wine of this brilliant château, the 2022 Chapelle D'Ausone checks in as 65% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon that was raised 20 months in barrels. Classic Cabernet Franc notes of black raspberries, currants, spring flowers, candied violets, and sappy mint herbs all shine here, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a pure, layered, seamless mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. While it's not the best vintage for the second wines, you wouldn't know it by tasting this.

Vinous

92

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2025

The 2022 Chapelle d'Ausone has an intense nose with black cherry and blueberry aromas, with a touch of crushed oyster shell, although the latter is not as pronounced as in barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with a patina of new oak to be absorbed (100% new). Again, a touch of oyster shell tinctures the black fruit. I just feel some wood tannins right on the finish, which causes me to be more prudent with my evaluation.

Jamessuckling.com

94

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2025

Really bright and open with flowers and plums as well as blueberries. It's medium- to full- bodied with creamy and round tannins and a vivid finish. Lots of energy and fruitiness. Second wine of Ausone. 60% cabernet franc, 35% merlot and 5% cabernet sauvignon. Drink after 2028.

Vinous

93

byAntonio Gallonithe1/28/2025

The 2022 Chapelle d'Ausone is a heady, imposing Saint-Émilion. Deep and layered, Chapelle d'Ausone is an undeniably serious wine. It offers notable textural resonance and volume, with a mix of unctuous richness and vibrancy that is distinctive. The blend is 60% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the Cabernets very much driving the blend. Even so, this is a decidedly big Chapelle that hides its elevated alcohol well.

Wine Maniacs

93-94

byLin Liuthe5/30/2023

Decanter.com

94

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/25/2023

Strongly fragrant on the nose, strawberries, red cherries, vanilla, milk chocolate. Smooth and supple, a good intensity of juicy, crunchy fruit and well balanced tannins. An easy expression - despite the 15% alcohol with acidity giving life and a certain vibrancy while the fruit is well detailed and the tannins super fine and integrated. Feels clean with purity and clarity to the expression. Lively and fun, something quite charming about this with a shot of sweet strawberry on the mid palate that peeks interest and sustains the finish. Lifted and vibrant, aromatic and accessible. 3.52pH. Harvest 5 and 9 September for Merlot, 21 and 27 September for Cabernet Franc and 30 September for Cabernet Sauvignon.

Vinous

91-93

byNeal Martinthe5/17/2023

The 2022 Chapelle d'Ausone has slightly less Cabernet Franc than the previous vintage (60%). Picked from 5 to 30 September and matured for a planned 20 months, it has a floral nose with underlying oyster shell scents from the astéries limestone. The palate is pure and medium-bodied with svelte, silky smooth tannins and fine acidity. Black cherries, soy and blueberry notes appear toward the finish, with a dash of white pepper on the aftertaste. Very fine.

The Vintage Journal

95-96

byAndrew Caillard MWthe5/17/2023

Deep crimson. Intense dark chocolate, dark plum, wood varnish, hint paneforte notes. Generous and voluminous with plentiful dark chocolate, cacao, paneforte roasted chestnut vanilla flavours and fine gravelly tannins. Finishes sinewy/ cedary and long. 60% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% alc

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

95

byJane Ansonthe5/16/2023

An impressive Chapelle that opens with a wave of opulence, rich and confident in its construction. Majors on tobacco, cigar box, liqourice, chocolate, creamy damson, black cherry puree, velvety tannins. Incredible to think that this character can be teased out of pure limestone soils, but their fingerprint, with a welcome edge of salty cracker, comes in on the finish. Takes the character of the vintage and leans right in to it. Highly accomplished. 3.5ph, 100% new oak. Conversion to organic farming since 2020, Philippe Baillarguet cellar master, Pauline Vauthier owner and winemaker.

matthewjukes.com

17,5

byMatthew Jukesthe5/15/2023

The Wine Independent

93-95

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/15/2023

A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, with a pH of 3.52 and a TPI of 74, the Chapelle d’Ausone 2022 is deep garnet-purple in color. It swans out with showy notions of kirsch, black cherry compote, and black raspberries, followed by wafts of garrigue, violets, and cedar chest. Full-bodied, the palate is built like a brick house, delivering firm, fine-grained tannins and amazing acidity to support the dense, generous fruit, finishing long and minerally. Impressive!

Bettane & Desseauve

94

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/10/2023

62 % de cabernet franc, 5 % cabernet-sauvignon et 35 % de merlot, ce vin ouvre sur une bouche à la fois ferme et veloutée, avec déjà une ampleur bien dessinée.

Jeb DUNNUCK

94-96

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/10/2023

Cassis, red plums, graphite, chalky minerality, violet notes, and a hint of espresso all emerge from the 2022 Chapelle D'Ausone, which is based on 60% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Sauvignon. With a vivid purple hue, medium to full body, ripe, present tannins, and a great finish, it's one hell of a second wine that will probably have 20-25 years of longevity.

Vinous

92-94

byAntonio Gallonithe5/9/2023

The 2022 Chapelle d’Ausone is a powerful but also embryonic wine. Here, too, the wine’s balance is impeccable. Super-ripe red cherry fruit, blood orange, spice, menthol and rose petal all meld together. Chapelle is a powerhouse second wine, if that term can even be used. The blend is 60% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drinking window : 2027-2042

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95

byJeff Levethe5/5/2023

Deeply colored, the nose shows off its wild flowers, black raspberries, incense, and licorice nuanced perfume without asking. Medium-bodied, creamy, lush, fresh, and with a strong sense of minerality, the wine fills your palate with chocolate, mint, spice, licorice, and black cherries before you find all the salty, crushed rocks, and stones on the back end. Once again, it is difficult to believe this is a second wine. The wine blends 60% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% ABV, 3.52 pH. Drink from 2027-2048.

Wine Advocate

91-93

byWilliam Kelleythe5/2/2023

A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 Chapelle d'Ausone offers up aromas of cherries, raspberries and rose petals mingled with subtle hints of incense. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it's taut and youthfully firm, concluding with a mineral finish. 91 - 93+

Jamessuckling.com

94-95

byJames Sucklingthe4/19/2023

Red berries such as cherries and raspberries. Cassis. Full-bodied, very tight and focused on the palate with a linear acid and tannin backbone. Racy at the end. Contrasty. Plenty of energy. Just takes off. 65% cabernet franc and 35% merlot.