Don’t let the size of Saint-Émilion’s Château Ausone fool you – the small, 18 acre estate is nothing short of a powerhouse in the wine world, and produces some of the most expensive and desirable wines available. Named after Ausonius, the Roman poet believed to have lived in the region in the 4th century and planted Ausone’s first vines, the vineyards seem equally poetic: they flourish on a steep slope that faces southeast, perfectly positioned to protect them from cold north winds and excessive rainfalls. And, much like other Right Bank estates, the soil boasts the perfect balance of limestone, gravel and clay. While the vineyard is small, it is nonetheless mature and impressive, and holds Saint-Emilion’s elite Premier Grand Cru Classe (A) classification. Divided equally among Merlot and Cabernet Franc, many vines are over 50 years old, yielding intense and profound flavors that are reflected by the Château’s exotic, fruity and superlatively lush vintages. Due to both size and discretion, only 2000 cases are produced annually, adding to Ausone’s prestige and price tag. Proudly standing on equal footing as major Right Bank players including Petrus and LePin, Ausone holds her own by delivering her unique brand of poetry in motion.