HISTORIC RIGHT BANK CHÂTEAU

With a legacy that dates back to the 17th century, Château Simard is located near the ancient and beautiful town of Saint-Émilion, home to the Right Bank’s most prestigious estates. Among the most renowned of these is Château Ausone — one of only two properties classified in 1955 as Saint-Émilion Premiers Grands Crus Classés A. Château Ausone’s proprietor, Alain Vauthier, inherited Château Simard in 2008 when his uncle, Claude “Coco” Mazière, passed away. The château has been in the family since 1954.

A quintessential Saint-Émilion producer, Château Simard’s vineyard is surrounded by the region’s first-growth vineyards. The 40-hectare (98.84-acre) gently sloping vineyard is marked by predominantly clay soil mixed with sand and gravel, and a deep water table, forcing the vines to grow far into the ground. It is planted to Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines that average 35 years in age. The vineyard manager is Laurent Vallet. Pauline Vauthier is the general manager.

Château Simard produces only one wine. It is classically elegant, with a refined style that results not only from the excellent vineyard location, but also from traditional winemaking methods employed at the château and the number of years the wine is aged in the cellars. The wine is ready to drink when released and does not require the additional bottle aging that is typical of Bordeaux.

This vintage shows the classical characteristics of Saint Emilion, with plum, cherry, bramble fruit and tobacco. Medium bodied, the soft textured tannins are still present in good measure and well balanced with the acidity that brings to a persistent finish.
Best 2016–2026