Lot 16
Modern Day Legend

12 – 750ml 2003 Chateau Ausone St. Emilion – original wood case

Repeating perfection is next to impossible. Just ask the Miami Dolphins, or any team that has hoped to match the 1972 squad’s perfect season. But, surpassing perfection? By its very nature, such a feat should be impossible. After all, there is no 101 on a 100-point scale.

If one Chateau were to force the world to redefine its expectations of greatness it would be, perhaps, Chateau Ausone. A spectacular location, perched on a hillside outside the medieval walls of St. Emilion, it is one of only two Grand Crus in the region. Its small, south-facing vineyards are planted to demandingly steep slopes, requiring that they be harvested by hand.

In 2000, Ausone produced a prodigious wine that captured the essence of its limestone terroir, garnering its first perfect 100 point review from The Wine Advocate. In 2003, the remarkably hot and dry summer created the opportunity to fashion a dramatically different – yet even more remarkable – wine at Ausone. When finally reviewed and bottled, Ausone had earned its second perfect 100 point rating, a wine that is “off the charts in terms of richness.” When compared with the reference point 2000 vintage, The Wine Advocate found it to be “even more sublime and exotic.”

This is truly a wine for the ages, a benchmark for the greatness that can be achieved in Bordeaux during a remarkable vintage. Destined to become one of the greatest wines of this century, another decade will enhance this extraordinary wine and it has the potential to continue to evolve over more than half a century. Unfortunately, due to the minuscule production of Ausone, its wines - and in particular this vintage - are virtually unobtainable. This is a wine that must be tasted to be believed - today is your chance to become a believer.

DONORS: Eileen & Joe Small