LA CHAPELLE D'AUSONE

75 Cabernet Franc, 25 Cabernet Sauvignon | Only 2000 bottles made. | Cabernet Franc was harvested on 4 – 6 Cabernet Franc and the Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested on 6 October. Very strangely, this wine is a song to Cabernet! I couldn’t believe the blend as I was typing this (Merlot was ravaged by mildew here), yet while this wine might not feature any Merlot at all, it is most definitely Merlot-shaped and textured. I cannot sense that this is a 100% Cabernets creation, yet the fiche technique does not lie! The plumminess and the texture are classic Merlot, and the length shows cherry, plum and fruitcake nuances that all point to the M-word. But, there is a rigidity and an upright directness here and a fragrance that only Cabernet, particularly Franc, can bring. Utterly fascinating and beguiling and a one-off that collectors will undoubtedly obsess over, I love this anomaly. Still, with only 2000 bottles made, Pauline Vauthier explained that while it is delicious and completely unique, it is also very limited! Rating: 17.5 Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (Jun 2022)

Bright violet in colour, with ripe and sappy fruit. This is gorgeous, showing less intensity than recent vintages but a delicately-boned wine with hidden power that leans into the vintage, and is proof of how adaptive this terroir is - fresh in hot vintages, but generous in cool ones. Gooseberry, redcurrant, red cherry, raspberry, crushed rocks, and one of the rare 2nd wines that truly delivers in 2021. Philippe Baillarguet cellar master, 100% new oak, harvest October 4 to 6. Drinking range: 2026 - 2038 Rating: 92 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2022)

The 2021 Chapelle d'Ausone, matured in 90% new oak, has a crisp, pure bouquet of black fruit infused with touches of pencil box; hints of violet emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied and correct, with a strict, linear opening, fine salinity and moderate persistence. Drinking range: 2025 - 2036 Rating: 88-90 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2022)

The 2021 Chapelle 'Ausone is an unusual blend of 75% Cabernet Franc and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, a choice forced by significant losses in the Merlots. Crushed rose petal, mint, red berry fruit, mocha and spice are nicely lifted. A wine of mid-weight structure and class, the Chapelle is very nicely done in what was a brutal vintage for the Vauthier family and for this wine. Yields are down 50%. The 2021 finishes with a lovely burst of understated floral intensity. Drinking range: 2026 - 2036 Rating: 90-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2022)

Bright violet in colour, with ripe and sappy fruit. This is gorgeous, showing less intensity than recent vintages but a delicately-boned wine with hidden power that leans into the vintage, and is proof of how adaptive this terroir is - fresh in hot vintages, but generous in cool ones. Gooseberry, redcurrant, red cherry, raspberry, crushed rocks, and one of the rare 2nd wines that truly delivers in 2021. Philippe Baillarguet cellar master, 100% new oak, harvest October 4 to 6. Drinking range: 2026 - 2038 Rating: 92 Jane Anson, Decanter (May 2022)

Inviting aromas of berries and plums mingled with vine smoke, spices and loamy soil introduce the 2021 Chapelle d'Ausone, a medium to full-bodied, melting and precise wine that's pretty and seamless, with lively acids and a long, penetrating finish. As usual, it's a blend of wine from young vines with a few barriques of declassified Ausone. Rating: 91-93 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (May 2022)