Château Ausone St Emilion Grand Cru Premier Grand Cru Classé A 2006

Tasted during the Bordeaux Mentor Week at a tasting hosted by the Fondation Terroirs et Paysages Culturels (Ausone is a founding member of this group). The entire series of wine was exceptional, but this still managed to stand out head and shoulders above the rest. Just a total lesson in what depths and nuances can be achieved in an almost-20-year-old wine that has stayed true to its limestone terroir. It opens with creamy raspberry and cassis fruit, laced with white truffles, incenes and citrus, so elegant and poised, then performs a push and pull of acidity and tannins as it stretches out through the palate, narrowing to a saline-scrape of pummice stone and oyster shell. A wonderful moment to begin drinking, but it’s going nowhere soon. 100% new oak, Alain Vauthier owner.