Château Ausone 2025

Château Ausone 2025

The Estate

Château Ausone is rooted in an ancient history linked to the figure of Ausone, a writer and poet, whose name became associated with the estate at the end of the 16th century. The estate lies on the Roc Blancan site, on a hillside where limestone rock is the central element of the landscape and of the vineyard’s identity. For centuries, stone has been omnipresent here, quarried and then reused, giving rise to a network of underground quarries that have now been turned into cellars. These spaces offer natural ageing conditions, with a stable temperature, constant humidity and no light, favouring slow maturation of the wines. The vineyard extends over 7.25 hectares, laid out in terraces bounded by stone. This configuration protects the plots from the wind and ensures an east to south-east exposure. The proximity of the Dordogne and the Isle helps create a microclimate favourable to the vine, contributing to even ripening of the grapes. The soils lie both on a plateau of starfish limestone (calcaire à astéries) and on clay-limestone slopes. This complementarity allows the vines to root deeply in the rock while benefiting from the presence of clay, particularly in dry periods. The whole forms a natural balance that favours a regulated water supply and a consistent expression of the terroir. The vineyard is planted mainly with Cabernet Franc, complemented by Merlot. The average age of the vines is approximately 50 years, with some over a century old. The size of the estate allows each plot to be observed closely and the vines to receive constant attention, from vegetative growth to the ripening of the fruit. The estate has been run by the Vauthier family for several generations, with a documented presence since 1690. Work in the vineyard relies on practices that respect the soil and living organisms, drawing on organic and biodynamic methods, without being systematic, in a search for balance. The estate’s ecosystem also includes hedges, fruit trees and diverse vegetation, contributing to the vitality of the soils and the presence of beneficial wildlife. From vineyard to cellar, every intervention is measured. The technical work aims to accompany the grapes without altering their expression. Monitoring of ripeness guides the decisions, without the constraint of a calendar, in order to respect the natural rhythm of the fruit. The wine from this terroir is built on a structure dominated by Cabernet Franc, which brings tension, depth and mineral expression. Merlot plays a complementary role, with a rounder texture and a more immediate expression of fruit. The result is wines marked by their balance, finesse and ability to evolve over time.