Saint Emilion Day Trip with Sightseeing Tour & Wine Tastings from Bordeaux
Join this day trip to the Saint-Emilion (and surrounding) wine-making region of France. This full-day guided excursion from Bordeaux offers picturesque scenery, sights...
Profile
Structure
Drinking window
Best 8 to 25 years from vintage.
vintage8 yrs25 yrs27 yrs
Critic scores
No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating above is our own.
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.More wines for mushrooms and truffles →
- Lamb chops with herbs de Provence Herbal aromatics in the wine echo the herb crust; firm tannin integrates with lamb fat.More wines for lamb →
- Charcuterie board with pate de campagne Bright acidity cuts through pork fat; red-fruit register pairs with classic Bordeaux charcuterie.More wines for charcuterie and cured meats →
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.
- 1995First vintage of Chapelle d'Ausone produced
- 2024Re-released aged library vintages (2011, 2012, 2016) alongside current releases
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau Ausone · visiting guide
- 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.
Tags
Taste it where it is made: tastings near Chateau Ausone
Saint-Emilion Electric Bike Day Tour with Wine Tastings & Lunch
Join us for an unforgettable journey through Saint-Émilion, one of France’s most enchanting wine regions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This carefully curated exper...
Saint-Émilion: Grand Cru Classé Winery Visit and Tasting
Discover 2 wine estates, 1 traditional and 1 modern, within the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation. Learn about the winemaking process from vine to bottle and enjoy t...
Saint-Émilion wine tours (102) · Wine tastings and winery visits in Bordeaux (88) · Wine tours and day trips in Bordeaux (137) · Wine and cheese tastings in Bordeaux (25) · Wine tours by bike in Bordeaux (18)