I’ve been in love with Château Simone for a while but don’t drink these wines nearly often enough. Everytime I do I am reminded that for my palate this is one of the best reds from the Southern France. While this is a wine that generally seems to age well this 2014 is supremely youthful right now, although with medium rare beef it is so good that I have absolutely no regrets. The price seems to be trending upwards but at 50 € this is still an easy purchase year after year.
2014 Château Simone Palette - France, Provence, Palette (26.7.2024)
After 1.5 hours in the decanter the expression is very youthful for the wine’s age. The fruit is a wonderful blend of cassis and blackberry - very fresh and bright. There is a distinct garrigue note, some VA, tobacco and charred meat. As is typical it speaks strongly of its origins and is very complex and characterful. On the palate this is tight, compact and very structured, not at all approaching peak drinking. Generously fruited but with zero fat and no extra ripeness really. The small amount of VA works well, like a pinch of chili. The tannins are very respectable and grippy. Very delicious right now with appropriate beefy fair, on its own not exactly easy-going even if there is no Barolo-esque wall of tannin. Sports a very long finish with intriguing spiciness. While clearly showcasing the Southern sunshine this is thoroughly balanced with great vitality and no heat. This is a very good vintage of Simone that is at least five years away from really starting to blossom but could take longer.
I am always intrigued by these wines, having once spent some time near Provence, but I hardly ever drink them. I can only remember one I’ve had in the last five years and that was in a restaurant. Your note really captures the wine; it brings back that experience. I’ll have to be a more faithful friend to this estate in the future, especially considering the reasonable pricing,
Great note and I can’t really add anything on that. Years ago I was searching for something to import that might approach Simone and visited another producer in the area. Their wines didn’t measure up but I must say it’s a spectacular area to visit. Hard to really pin down just why. I mean, it’s Provence so no surprise that it’s nice but there is an aura there. Although not that much different, I preferred it to the southern Rhone. Nothing specific really stands out other than it being a nice green area that basks in southern French sunshine but somehow there’s a feeling of peace and beauty that is matched by few other places on earth. It would be easy to set up camp and stay awhile.
Hard to find a 1:1 replacement for Simone indeed, I find Hauvette to offer similar vibes with their reds however. I do share your affinity to the place as well, can’t wait to return there with our small kids in the near future. Before pandemic (and kids) I used to tour France with the missus every year and Provence and Savoie were our favorite places.
I have a suspicion that while now quite fair the prices could continue climbing towards where Trevallon currently is, no idea how the production volumes compare though. Happy I was able to evoke good memories with my note
Love Hauvette and the Savoie region too. There’s a book called The Auberge of the Flowering Hearth that has a wonderful description of the area around la Chartreuse and goes into detail about the meals and wines served at an auberge there. I think it’s out of print now but not too difficult or expensive to find.
