Schloss Ausone

Saint-Émilion

an exceptional terroir

According to legend, Château Ausone takes its name from Decimus Magnus Ausonius, a famous Latin poet and political advisor to the late Roman Empire. He lived in Bordeaux in the 4th century, in the Gallo-Roman villa of Palat, located on the estate. (Palat, Saint-Émilion, 4th century.)
The vines on this property, around fifty years old, are ideally situated mid-slope. They are composed of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot. Their moderate yield (33 hectoliters per hectare) contributes to the production of concentrated and intense wines with strong aging potential.

Great vintages can thus be kept for up to half a century. The estate was one of the few Saint-Émilion estates to be spared the terrible frosts of February 1956. Its location undoubtedly played a part: facing east-southeast, it is protected to the north as well as to the west.

Vauthier Family

a visionary direction

After being jointly owned by the Vauthier and Dubois-Challon families for two centuries, a family conflict divided the château in 1970, hindering its smooth operation. Alain Vauthier and his sister Catherine then bought out their aunt Hélyette Dubois-Challon's shares in 1997. Today, they are still the owners. Alain manages the estate and crafts the wine with wisdom and vision, under the guidance of Michel Rolland. The wine has since gently evolved towards greater crispness and fruit expression. New oak barrels are now used for only 85% of the wines (previously 100%). Generations of winegrowers have succeeded one another, culminating today with the 12th generation, represented by Edouard and Constance Vauthier, meticulously applying their expertise to the vineyard.

Château Ausone

a prestigious wine

Approximately 1,500 cases of Ausone are produced each year. The château's production is deliberately limited, retaining only the very best from an already modest yield. Demanding selections and rigorous sorting follow, striving to obtain the finest possible wine. The resulting wines are refined and balanced, with elegant fruit and a smooth texture. Vinification takes place in temperature-controlled wooden vats. The wine is then aged for about twenty months in oak barrels. This aging process occurs in the château's unique cellar, a former stone quarry.