Château Ausone - Saint-Émilion Grand Cru (Premier Grand Cru Classé) 1998 (750ml) Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Château Ausone - Saint-Émilion Grand Cru (Premier Grand Cru Classé) 1998 (750ml) Montepulciano d'AbruzzoSaturated deep ruby, much darker and brighter than the other vintages tasted. Sappy, fresh aromas of boysenberry, cassis, minerals, bitter chocolate and espresso, with complicating notes of underbrush and earth. Extremely pure and penetrating, with fruit of steel and a powerful mineral underpinning. Finishes with strong, firm tannins and great persistence. Essence of Ausone, without the funkiness shown by so many past vintages of this wine. Offers

Deep and inky purple red robe with dark blue edges

fruit-forward style that is typical of the varietal and expressive of its terroir

Little wonder that Tua Rita’s wines are considered among the most difficult to find in Italy

Ageing potential of 10 years – variable depending on transport and storage conditions

white and yellow fruits such as apple

and a fine pétillance

and fresh with minerals on the finish

But still today

Initially the 8-hectare property was almost entirely dedicated to the production of fruit

then destemmed by hand

The fruity nose offers notes of black currant and bay leaf while the palate is compact with gentle tannins

The tannin structure is finely polished