99

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2020 Ausone is stellar. Usually a showier wine, Ausone is packed with bright acids, deep fruit and tons of supporting structure. Dark red fruit, blood orange, pomegranate, rose petal, mocha and dried herbs all race out of the glass. Deep and layered, with magnificent finesse, Ausone is lights out in 2020. What a wine. Readers lucky enough to own it are in for a thrilling ride over the next few decades. 12/2022

97

Neal Martin

Vinous

The 2020 Ausone, which has slightly more Merlot than usual, was picked from September 14 to 29 and raised for 20 months entirely in new oak before bottling in mid-July, according to the lunar calendar. It has an intense bouquet with blackberry and boysenberry fruit, pain grillé and background scents of licorice. Very mineral-driven. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and a fine backbone, pure with impressive tension. Satin texture with a dash of cracked black pepper surface with time in the glass. Persistent in the mouth, perhaps without fully developing that knockout crescendo on the finish, though that might evolve with bottle age. Still, this is an outstanding Ausone. 12/2022

95+

William Kelley

Robert Parker / Wine Advocate

A blend of equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot, the 2020 Ausone wafts from the glass with aromas of dark berries and cherries mingled with notions of incense, spices and raw cocoa framed by a creamy patina of new oak. Medium to full-bodied, layered and seamless, it's pure and concentrated, with a sweet core of fruit, generously extracted tannins and a vanillin-inflected finish. Less seamless and sensual than the lovely 2019, it will require some patience to come together, but there is no mistaking the quality of the terroir here. 04/2023

99

Jean-Marc Quarin

Jean-Marc Quarin

Couleur sombre, intense, belle et pourpre. Nez très aromatique, fin, fruité pur, complexe, noble et profond. Touche légèrement vanillée sur un fond de framboise très mûr. Velouté en entrée de bouche, complexe au milieu, extrêmement fondant, avec une grâce aromatique et tactile folle, le vin avance lentement, juteux et profond. Dans les tout derniers instants de la bouche, il marque une touche d'austérité rappelant le calcaire comme si le millésime l'avait invité à surligner son origine. C'est là une merveilleuse identité. Assemblage : 50 % cabernet franc, 50 % merlot. Degré d'alcool : 14°7 - pH : 3,58. Rendement : 38 hl/ha. Production ; 2/3 de premier vin.

99

James Suckling

James Suckling

The flowers in the nose are spectacular with violets, lavender, and honeysuckle. Then there’s wet stone and freshly cut limestone. Plus there’s raspberries and blueberries. The palate is full-bodied yet very tight and reserved, with fine tannins that run the length of the wine as well as hints of cedar, sandalwood and vanilla bean. It’s long and very racy and complex. Needs eight to 10 years of bottle age to open and come together. Try after 2032. 03/2023