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Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Vinous
2011 Chateau Ausone – Limestone Precision from Saint-Emilion
The 2011 Chateau Ausone offers a compelling expression of one of Bordeaux’s most revered Right Bank estates. Perched on steep limestone slopes above Saint-Emilion, Ausone is renowned for producing wines of structure, restraint, and longevity. The 2011 vintage highlights the estate’s ability to translate terroir into a refined and age-worthy profile, even in more challenging years.
Tasting Notes
Aromas of black cherry, plum skin, graphite, and dried herbs emerge gradually from the glass. On the palate, the wine is poised and finely detailed, showing layered dark fruit, mineral tension, and polished tannins. Fresh acidity provides lift and balance, carrying through to a long, focused finish marked by subtle floral and earthy tones.
Winemaking & Vineyard Details
The blend is dominated by Cabernet Franc with a supporting portion of Merlot, sourced from old vines rooted in pure limestone soils. Fermentation is conducted parcel by parcel, followed by aging in French oak barrels. The elevated vineyard sites and low yields contribute to the wine’s precision and structural integrity.
Investment & Collectibility
Chateau Ausone remains one of Bordeaux’s most tightly held wines, with limited production and consistent global demand. While the 2011 is more understated than some surrounding vintages, its classical structure and provenance support long-term collectibility and cellar potential.
Vintage Insights & Accolades
The 2011 Bordeaux vintage required careful vineyard management, rewarding estates with top terroir. At Ausone, these conditions resulted in a wine defined by balance, minerality, and clarity of expression.






