Château Ausone
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru (Premier Grand Cru Classé)
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
2000
Vintage
Varietal
Bordeaux Blend
ABV
Where it is, June 2026
At Peak: in the heart of its drinking window (2005-2035).
In 2026, 2000 Château Ausone Saint-Émilion Grand Cru (Premier Grand Cru Classé) is in an at peak position: within its peak plateau, which runs through 2035, so the right move is disciplined patience rather than casual opening. The wine's 7/10 tannin, 5/10 acidity, and 7/10 body point to a bottle with real structural reserve, while the database note already shows the flavor core moving through dark fruit, mineral detail, spice, and mature savory tones. Collectors comparing the [bordeaux guide](/wines/region/bordeaux), the [Bordeaux Blend guide](/wines/varietal/bordeaux-blend), and this [related cellar page](/wines/chateau-smith-haut-lafitte/les-hauts-de-smith/2023) should treat this as a bottle for a planned dinner, not a quick weeknight pull.
Related vintages
The ‘00 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru (Premier Grand Cru Classé).
2000 Château Ausone Saint-Émilion Grand Cru (Premier Grand Cru Classé): a high-value Saint-Émilion Grand Cru bottle at peak in 2026, with 7/10 tannin and 5/10 acidity.
Drinking window
Tasting note
Expect a color moving toward mature depth, with the wine's original fruit still central rather than fading into simple tertiary notes. The recorded profile gives the anchor: The 2000 Ausone is a perfect wine by any measure-a century-opening statement from Alain Vauthier that rewrote expectations for what Saint-Émilion could achieve. The nose unfolds in layers of black cherry preserve, graphite, crushed iron ore, blue flowers, and aged cedar, carrying the unmistakable mineral signature of Ausone's amphitheater of solid limestone bedrock. On the. From there, the nose should build in layers with air, moving between fruit, spice, mineral, and cellar notes rather than presenting one obvious aromatic lane. On the palate, the 7/10 body gives breadth, the 7/10 tannin supplies shape, and the 5/10 acidity keeps the finish lifted. The most important service cue is texture: watch for the point where the tannins soften but the fruit has not flattened.
The 2000 vintage
Bordeaux 2000 followed a warm, dry late summer and a clean September harvest window, which explains the vintage depth and the still-firm frame in long-lived Right and Left Bank wines. For 2000 Château Ausone Saint-Émilion Grand Cru (Premier Grand Cru Classé), that matters because the wine is already inside a long drinking arc from 2003 to 2047, with peak years marked 2005-2035. The vintage should not be read as a generic luxury signal; it explains why the bottle carries its current mix of fruit density, acidity, tannin, and savory development. In practical terms, 2026 is a useful checkpoint for judging whether the wine is gaining complexity or merely holding structure.
About Château Ausone
Ausone rests on Saint-Émilion limestone, with Cabernet Franc and Merlot giving mineral tension, floral lift, and a compact production scale that makes the grand vin especially cellar-focused. In this bottle, the producer signature matters because the database profile shows a wine with 7/10 body and 7/10 tannin, not just a famous label. That combination should guide both cellaring and service: give the wine enough air to unfold, but preserve its aromatic detail. The best comparison set is the [bordeaux guide](/wines/region/bordeaux), the [Bordeaux Blend guide](/wines/varietal/bordeaux-blend), and at least one [related cellar page](/wines/chateau-smith-haut-lafitte/les-hauts-de-smith/2023), since those pages show how neighboring bottles handle age, structure, and peak timing.
From the cellar: pair with
Rosemary lamb chops
The 7/10 tannin grips protein while dark fruit and savory spice stay clear.
Mushroom risotto with aged cheese
Earthy depth mirrors the wine's mineral notes, while 5/10 acidity keeps the dish lifted.
Charred eggplant with herbs
Smoke and herbs pick up the mature savory edge without overwhelming 7/10 body.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 60-64F (16-18C)
- Decanting
- In 2026, open with a careful 60- to 90-minute decant, then follow the glass. Older mature bottles should be checked at 30 minutes; younger or especially dense bottles can take two hours. Stop the decant when the fruit becomes clearer and the tannins feel less angular.
- Cellar Storage
- 55F (13C), 60-70% humidity, bottle on its side.
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
More from Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Frequently Asked
When should I drink 2000 Château Ausone Saint-Émilion Grand Cru (Premier Grand Cru Classé)?
Drink from 2003 through 2047, with the best balance expected around 2005-2035. In 2026, the wine is at peak, so open only when you can give it proper attention and a meal that matches its structure.
How long should I decant it?
Plan on 60 to 90 minutes at cellar temperature, then taste rather than running a fixed clock. The goal is to soften 7/10 tannin and release the aromatic detail without letting mature fruit lose focus.
What food works best?
Choose dishes with enough richness for 7/10 body and enough savory depth for the wine's mineral and spice notes. Lamb, mushrooms, and charred vegetables work better than sweet sauces or delicate fish.
Should I cellar more bottles or look for another vintage?
If you own multiple bottles, hold at least one into the 2005-2035 peak band unless the wine is already past peak. For buying, compare adjacent vintages from the same producer to decide whether you want more fruit, more acidity, or more mature secondary detail.