Château-Ausone St. Emilion 2011

Combining power with great elegance, this wine displays superripe, rich fruits that are restrained by velvet tannins and the delicious perfumed character from Cabernet Franc in the blend. Juicy, rich, structured, it's a beautiful wine with a great future. Drink from 2020.

Its bigger sibling, the 2011 Ausone increases the level of intensity, elegance, complexity, richness and length. Nearly a mirror image of the La Chapelle, just with more going on, the Ausone boasts a more saturated purple color, and the wine has everything in large, intense proportions. The finesse and delicacy of all its components are what make it such a remarkable wine. The quality of the tannins and purity of the fruit make this another legendary effort that should age for 30-40 years.

Deep, dark nose with plenty of blackberry and chocolate. A rich and full-bodied wine for the vintage with a moderate tannin structure that you now barely feel directly. Good, but not great depth on the mid-palate. The best thing about it is the long, crisp finish that pulls you back for more. Drink or hold. Château Quintus vertical tasting.

The 2011 Ausone is ripe and perfumed, quite floral in style, touches of cassis and violet coming through with time. It is just missing a little charm compared to its peers. The palate is plush and rounded in the mouth, quite a sensual wine with piquant red fruit, white pepper and clove, although the finish is just missing a little complexity and personality at the moment. A fine Ausone, though I would be inclined to drink this over the next decade. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.