Ausone 2020 (750ML)

97 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2020 Ausone, which has slightly more Merlot than usual, was picked from September 14 to 29 and raised for 20 months entirely in new oak before bottling in mid-July, according to the lunar calendar. It has an intense bouquet with blackberry and boysenberry fruit, pain grille and background scents of licorice. Very mineral-driven. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and a fine backbone, pure with impressive tension. Satin texture with a dash of cracked black pepper surface with time in the glass. Persistent in the mouth, perhaps without fully developing that knockout crescendo on the finish, though that might evolve with bottle age. Still, this is an outstanding Ausone." 12/22

99 Points, Jane Anson, Decanter: "This is powerful and blows away much of the competition with its depth and layers. This needs you to pull up a chair, take a beat, and let the flavours unroll. There is so much density to the blueberry, bilberry and smoked raspberry fruits that they start out knitted down, then as the oxygen opens them up the body of the wine widens and becomes fleshier and creamier, adding chocolate and mocha notes. The limestone scrape is there in spades through the finish, and this is a cleverly constructed wine. As ever Ausone is just a masterclass in how to take apart and then put back together a terroir. Great stuff. First year of official conversion to organic farming. 100% new oak, some in 30hl oak casks. Could go up after tasting in bottle, a potential 100 points." 04/21