Wines Saint-Émilion Château Ausone - 2003

Viniou Reviews

Château Ausone 2003 stands as a remarkable expression of Saint-Émilion’s Grand Cru heritage. This legendary Bordeaux estate crafts its red wines predominantly from a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with Merlot typically offering generous body, ripe fruit, and plushness, while the Cabernet Franc imparts aromatic complexity, finesse, and length. The 2003 vintage was marked by an exceptional heatwave, leading to an early and highly concentrated harvest. Yields were lower, resulting in a deeply coloured, robust wine with powerful tannins and particularly intense fruit expression. Vinified with meticulous care, Château Ausone employs both traditional and modern techniques, including gentle extraction, ageing in new French oak barrels, and manual harvesting, further enhancing the wine’s longevity and refinement.

Saint-Émilion lies on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, where diverse limestone plateaux and clay-limestone soils provide excellent drainage and mineral richness. The microclimate here, with its continental influences, warm summers, and moderate rainfall, favours long ripening periods, particularly for Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Saint-Émilion is steeped in viticultural tradition, with its picturesque medieval village and rolling vineyards earning UNESCO World Heritage status and global renown for supple, structured, and age-worthy wines.

For culinary pairings, Château Ausone 2003’s structure and depth call for equally refined dishes. Classic pairings include roasted or grilled beef, rack of lamb with herbs, or venison accompanied by wild mushrooms. The wine’s complexity also aligns beautifully with truffle-based dishes, duck confit, or earthy lentil stews. From the local gastronomy, a canard aux cèpes or entrecôte à la bordelaise would be excellent matches, allowing the wine’s elegant tannins and bold fruit to shine.

When approaching this Grand Cru, decanting for at least two hours is recommended to encourage the aromas of mature black fruits, graphite, cedar, and violets to emerge. The ideal serving temperature is between 16-18°C, allowing the wine’s texture and aromatic detail to fully express themselves. This is a wine that rewards patience and ceremony—enjoy it in a generous glass and, if possible, in good company.