Chapelle d'Ausone - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2023

Jeb DUNNUCK

93

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/31/2026

The second wine of this brilliant château, the 2023 Chapelle D'Ausone checks in as a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon that was aged 20 months in new barrels. Juicy black cherries, classic chalky minerality, camphor, and graphite are just some of its nuances, and it's medium-bodied, focused, and juicy on the palate. It has fine, polished tannins, integrated oak, and ample classic Ausone character. Drink this beauty over the coming 15-20 years. Drink 2026-2045.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94

byJeff Levethe3/30/2026

The nose opens with a unique combination of marine-influenced florals, licorice, and cherry aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant, fresh, and polished with lively, creamy red berries. It is difficult to believe this is a second wine. The wine blends 60% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2028-2045.

Vinous

93

byAntonio Gallonithe3/16/2026

The 2023 Chapelle d'Ausone is high-class. Cabernet Franc makes up most of the blend, and yet what stands out most is the wine's exceptional balance. Silky contours add to an impression of total finesse. Crushed rose petal, cinnamon, new leather, cedar, and sweet pipe tobacco are all seamless in the glass. The 2023 is a compelling Chapelle.

Vinous

91

byNeal Martinthe2/1/2026

The 2023 Chapelle d'Ausone is a little reticent on the nose, almost reluctantly opening with black cherries, violet and light licorice scents. The palate is medium-bodied with finely sculpted tannins. Pleasing symmetry here, just perhaps missing a bit of precision on the finish, then again, this is a humble Deuxième Vin. Drink over the next 15 years.

Jamessuckling.com

96

byJames Sucklingthe1/27/2026

Lots of chalky energy here, with a hint of cocoa powder to the rich, vibrant blackberries, dried herbs and graphite. Medium- to full-bodied with tightly wound tannins, offering both restrained opulence and fresh structure. Very impressive. A blend of 60% cabernet franc, 35% merlot and 5% cabernet sauvignon. Drink or hold.

My Bettane + Desseauve

92-93

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/15/2024

Tout en verticalité crayeuse, avec un fruité tonique et une belle impression de fraîcheur.

The Wine Independent

93-95

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/7/2024

A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2023 Chapelle d’Ausone is a combination of two plots, plus some press wine. It has a deep garnet-purple color and after a little shaking the nose erupts with notes of wild strawberries, black raspberries, and wood smoke, followed by nuances of garrigue and fallen leaves, with a hint of iron ore. Medium-bodied, the palate vibrates with electric black and red berry layers, framed by fine-grained tannins and great tension, finishing long and shimmery. Impressive!

The Drinks Business

94-96

byColin Haythe5/7/2024

Chapelle d’Ausone (Saint Émilion; 60% Cabernet Franc; 35% Merlot; 5% Cabernet Sauvignon; tasted at Ausone with Alain Vauthier; certified organic). Lots of graphite, a little cedar, but quite closed when tasted in the chai at Ausone under partially grey skies half-way through en primeur week. White pepper. Walnut. Black cherries and blueberries. Mulberries. A fair bit of acidity but this is nicely incorporated and well-distributed along the well-defined and limestone-chiselled spine. Tender. Substantial. The most gracious tannins, especially considering their volume. Lots of pepper and a crushed rock salt salinity, bringing liquorice notes to the finish. Like some of the other wines in the Vauthier line-up, this is not as effusive, expressive or accessible as the 2022, but it’s just as good. It needs time and will reward patience.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95

byJeff Levethe5/6/2024

Violets, roses, black raspberries, licorice, and cherry aromatics carry the perfume. On the palate, the wine is elegant, polished, sweet, and lively. The tannins are soft, the fruits are lifted, and creamy. There is a vibrance, and energy here with an understated approach this is perfect for the vintage. It is difficult to believe this is a second wine. The wine blends 60% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2028-2047. 93-95 Pts.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

93

byJane Ansonthe5/6/2024

Ruby, plum, grilled almond, fennel, love the depth of this wine, sappy and irresistable. 100% new oak. Philippe Baillarguet cellar master, Vauthier family owners, organic certified in the vineyard.

Vinous

92-94

byAntonio Gallonithe4/30/2024

The 2023 Chapelle d’Ausone is fabulous, as it often is. Succulent, ripe tannins give the 2023 tons of pure charm. Dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol, licorice and mocha all run through this sumptuous yet structured Saint-Émilion. This will be stellar in another few years time.

Vinous

90-92

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2024

The 2023 Chapelle d'Ausone has a well-defined bouquet with dark berry fruit, bell pepper and light gravel scents, nicely focused with a subtle marine influence. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins, though it is not as fleshy as previous vintages with quite a strict and linear finish. I suspect it will fill out during barrel-maturation.

Wine Advocate

91-93

byYohan Castaingthe4/26/2024

A fresh, delicate bouquet of cassis, violet, iris, raspberries and mulberries introduces the 2023 Chapelle d'Ausone, a medium to full-bodied, concentrated and textured wine with a fleshy core of fruit structured around chalky tannins and a long, precise finish.

Jamessuckling.com

95-96

byJames Sucklingthe4/25/2024

Wow. This is really alluring, with multi-dimensional texture and length. Crisp and al-dente. It's medium- to full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins and crunchy, pure fruit. Salt comes through. 60% cabernet franc, 35% merlot and 5% cabernet sauvignon.

Vertdevin

95

byJonathan Chicheportichethe4/24/2024