94
90

6 left
Ausone 2004
HED98964
75cl
13.5%
£500.00
£416.67 ex-VAT
Pay ex-VAT when shipping outside the UK
Ausone 2004 is a full-bodied Right Bank Bordeaux red wine from the St-Emilion appellation. Ausone is situated on the western edge of Saint-Emilion and ranked in the highest possible category for quality – Premier Grand Cru Classe (A). Producing around 2,000 cases a year from around 7 hectares of vines, the wine is usually an equal split of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. "Tasted from barrel in 2005, this was among the best wines of the vintage, with limestone-soil character coming through the fresh brightness of fruit. Ausone was all potential energy then, and it has only improved in the two years since. The wine shares the resonant depths of the ancient limestone caves at Ausone, as the flavors echo through the finish. It starts off from a small place, a sweet confection that brings roasted blueberries to mind, the caramelized oak tasting like the edge of charred fat on extremely fine grilled beef. Over the course of several days, the wine becomes increasingly more subtle and serious in tone, with delicate red fruit, gracious mineral-inflected tannins and detailed flavors that last effortlessly. This Ausone will live for decades." Wine & Spirits, 2007
One of the vintage’s most compelling wines (what’s new about that?), Alain Vauthier’s beloved 2004 Ausone has closed down considerably since I tasted it out of barrel, but it remains among the most concentrated wines of the vintage. Furthermore, along with Petrus, it will probably be the longest-lived. A dense purple color is accompanied by a celestial perfume of blue and black fruits, wet stones, flowers, and incense. On the palate, the wine exhibits exceptional power and concentration, but this historic terroir has also provided a surreal lightness to the wine’s impression. Beautiful flavors, sensational depth, and abundant structure suggest this 2004 will not be close to full maturity for 8-10 years. It should last for four decades. - Robert Parker

The 2004 Ausone has a mature bouquet with brambly red fruit, marmalade, leather and touches of cooked meat. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, a little dry and more savory than expected. I feel there is something a little passé about this Ausone, indicative of the time when wines were being pushed a little hard and frankly, I much prefer more recent vintages (including the 2023 tasted alongside). - Neil Martin




Other Vintages
Bordeaux Blend Wines
blackberry
cassis
plum
smoke
violet


Didn’t find what you were looking for?
Talk to our team:
You may also like
Our Fine Wine and Spirits Boutique
Hedonism is a fine wine and spirits boutique which has already become the most talked about wine project of recent times. Established in August 2012 and located in the heart of London’s Mayfair, Hedonism is a fine wine, whisky and spirits boutique which has already become the most talked about wine project of recent times.
The UK’s best buyers have sourced around 6,500 wines and 3,000 spirits, taking the crème de la crème from each region of the world whilst carefully checking the provenance of every bottle.
Explore Drinks