1971 Ausone
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Tasting notes
The 1971 Ausone is a vintage that I dismissed, just so that this bottle can come along and make me look stupid. Clearly with less advanced maturity than aged vintages of Ausone, the bouquet offers vestiges of black fruit mixed with bay leaf, stewed black tea and sandalwood. This 1971 has fine definition and vigour. The palate is well balanced, fresh with commendable depth, a fine bead of acidity, dark fruit mixed with cedar and leather towards the vigorous finish. It is not the best Right Bank that I have tasted but it must constitute one of the best wines of the decade for this estate. Tasted at the Ausone vertical in London.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Light to medium ruby with a rust-colored edge, this pleasant, yet insubstantial wine has a light perfume of spicy oak as well as scents of minerals and decaying leafy vegetation. Not terribly well concentrated, but adequately fruity in a savory, satisfying manner, the 1971 is a nice wine for drinking immediately. A magnum drunk at the chateau in 1988 merited a more enthusiastic review (86 points), but it was far from profound. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 3/88.
Light to medium ruby with a rust-colored edge, this pleasant, yet insubstantial wine has a light perfume of spicy oak as well as scents of minerals and decaying leafy vegetation. Not terribly well concentrated, but adequately fruity in a savory, satisfying manner, the 1971 is a nice wine for drinking immediately. A magnum drunk at the chateau in 1988 merited a more enthusiastic review (86 points), but it was far from profound. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 3/88. Jan 1998, www.robertparker.com
About the producer

Ch. Ausone is one of Bordeaux’s most respected estates. At this small property, perched atop a hill overlooking the town of Saint-Emilion, the Vauthier family produces some of the finest wines in the region.