2017 Château Ausone, St Emilion, BordeauxThe vineyard of Ausone sits high above St Emilion on a limestone plateau on a calcareous clay slope. The 2017 is a blend of 55 percent Cabernet Franc and 45 percent Merlot. It falls into the glass with a dark, crimson character and displays compact, dark fruit, smoke, pepper and blackberry. Big, rich and bold, the texture is suave and envelops the mouth, leaving the sensation of a smooth and layered finish. Really very good.