by Aris Sklavenitis (Sommelier – Oenologist)

Château Simone 2017, Clairette – Grenache Blanc – Bourboulenc – Ugni Blanc – Muscat Blanc, Provence, France

Château Simone is a very special estate in Southern France, near the Provence region, in the commune of Meyreuil. Specifically, it produces wines from a small appellation, Palette, which gained its designation of origin thanks to the efforts of owner Jean Rougier in 1948.

The estate’s vineyards cover 20 hectares and are located on north-facing slopes, which, combined with the humidity from the Arc River, make the region’s terroir unique. The cultivation follows traditional practices, without the use of fertilizers or herbicides. Grapes are then hand-sorted in the winery and fermented with their indigenous yeasts at controlled temperatures.

The white Simone is the flagship wine of the estate, their emblematic wine, a blend of Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Ugni Blanc, and Muscat Blanc. After fermentation, it ages for 18 months in small oak barrels, 6 of which in contact with the lees to provide extra volume and character.

Château Simone is a wine with a light golden color, generous aromas of ripe stone fruits, herbal notes, floral hints, oak, and nuts. On the palate, it is dry with moderate acidity, full-bodied, creamy in texture, and offers a long finish — a wine with great aging potential. Pair it with potato gnocchi, wild mushrooms, butter cream, and sage.

Score: 18.5/20

20 – Outstanding wine
19 – Top wine
18 – A cut above superior
17 – Superior
16 – High-quality wine
15 – Average wine, a perfectly nice drink