Chateau Simone, located right outside Aix-en-Provence, is one of the most historic and legendary producers youand#39;ll encounter in France. This is a wonderful source of classic, age-worthy wines of all colors. Vines have been planted in the area for as long as records have existed and the Rougier family have run this property since the 1830and#39;s.andnbsp; The red is largely based on Grenache and Mourvedreandnbsp;but is spiced up with Cinsaultandnbsp;andamp;andnbsp;Syrah as well as the rare indigenous varieties Castet, Manosquin,andnbsp;Thandeacute;oulier, Tibouren, and Picpoul Noir, among others. The grapes are de-stemmed and fermented in concrete before being aged one year in foudre, another in smaller barrels and a final year in bottle.andnbsp; Simoneand#39;s long-time importer likens their rouge to aandnbsp;andquot;hypothetical blend of great Cote-de-Nuits red Burgundy (think Chambolle or Morey) and old-guard Bandol.andquot; It has mineral drive, persistence and layers of complexity, and because of the cooler micro-climate of this privilegedandnbsp;terroir, itandnbsp;always maintains a notable freshness for a red from the south.andnbsp;Itand#39;s a wine you can enjoy in its youth because of its exceptional purity and balance but will age as gracefully as any of the most blue chip wines from the country.
Michael "Bucky" Buckelew
Sommelier Ristorante del Lago at The Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs
Extraordinarily quiet and composed - an antidote to aggressive CNdP
Extraordinarily quiet and composed - an antidote to aggressive CNdP
9.5Adam Nelson
First time to have this. Fantastic vintage, estate and wine
First time to have this. Fantastic vintage, estate and wine
9.2Nick Davis
A treat!
A treat!
9.6Paul Einbund
Wine Director/Sommelier Frances
2010 is microbial folks...hate to say that when it costs this much...
2010 is microbial folks...hate to say that when it costs this much...
8.3Nicolas Bazinet
Bourboulenc, grenache blanc, clairette, ugni blanc.
Bourboulenc, grenache blanc, clairette, ugni blanc.
8.1Star Black
See, with some time and a double decant, not the youngest rosé can be kind.
See, with some time and a double decant, not the youngest rosé can be kind.
8.7Christian Canute
Dry, minerally, way too young to drink now but love to put a few of these down for 20yrs plus. Loved it !
Dry, minerally, way too young to drink now but love to put a few of these down for 20yrs plus. Loved it !
9.6John Howard
Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries
Totally dead. Will try a fresher bottle asap.
Totally dead. Will try a fresher bottle asap.
Garrett Pierce
Sales Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant
This 2010 Palette Rouge is harmoniously balanced and was perfect with duck breast. Great now (with some tannic backbone) and will be very long-lived.
This 2010 Palette Rouge is harmoniously balanced and was perfect with duck breast. Great now (with some tannic backbone) and will be very long-lived.
Marcy Simon
Awesome wine fun yummy
Awesome wine fun yummy
9.2Location
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WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.