In the glass
Aroma: red cherry, stony minerality, violet, cedar, fresh herbs
Palate: bright red fruit, crushed limestone, floral notes, graphite
The second wine of Ausone, sourced from the youngest Cabernet Franc and Merlot vines on the same limestone hillside. Crisp, elegant and distinctively mineral, with a fruity register that opens earlier than the grand vin.
What it pairs with
-
Roast guinea fowl with mushrooms
The wine's restrained fruit and high acidity complement mild poultry; earthy mushroom mirrors the mineral notes. -
Lamb chops with herbs de Provence
Herbal aromatics in the wine echo the herb crust; firm tannin integrates with lamb fat. -
Charcuterie board with pate de campagne
Bright acidity cuts through pork fat; red-fruit register pairs with classic Bordeaux charcuterie.
How to serve Chapelle d'Ausone
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Roast guinea fowl with mushrooms, Lamb chops with herbs de Provence, Charcuterie board with pate de campagne. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Chapelle d'Ausone was created in 1995 as the second wine of Chateau Ausone, drawing on the youngest vines of the 7-hectare estate. Named after the chapel that overlooks the vineyard, it accounts for 10-20% of estate production depending on vintage. Alain Vauthier was among the first Right Bank producers to impose strict quality-driven selection for second-wine production.
- 1995 — First vintage of Chapelle d'Ausone produced
- 2024 — Re-released aged library vintages (2011, 2012, 2016) alongside current releases
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau Ausone
- Grapes
- Cabernet Franc (55%), Merlot (40%), Cabernet Sauvignon (5%)
- Classification
- Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
- Oak
- 20 months in French oak barrels; same conditions as grand vin but from youngest vines
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 120-200 at retail
- Drinking window
- 8-25 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1995
Frequently asked about Chapelle d'Ausone
What does Chapelle d'Ausone taste like?
On the nose, red cherry, stony minerality, violet, cedar, fresh herbs. On the palate, bright red fruit, crushed limestone, floral notes, graphite. Structurally medium-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long, mineral-driven with citrus-peel freshness finish. The second wine of Ausone, sourced from the youngest Cabernet Franc and Merlot vines on the same limestone hillside. Crisp, elegant and distinctively mineral, with a fruity register that opens earlier than the grand vin.
When should I drink Chapelle d'Ausone?
Drink 8-25 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Chapelle d'Ausone?
Roast guinea fowl with mushrooms is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Lamb chops with herbs de Provence and Charcuterie board with pate de campagne. The wine's restrained fruit and high acidity complement mild poultry; earthy mushroom mirrors the mineral notes.
What grapes are in Chapelle d'Ausone?
The blend is Cabernet Franc (55%), Merlot (40%), Cabernet Sauvignon (5%). The wine is classified as Saint-Emilion Grand Cru.