If you don't know Chateau Simard, that's fine, but you definitely have to know Chateau Ausone, which is one of only two Premier Grand Crus Classes A in the Right Bank Saint-Emilion appellation. Both vineyards, are owned and managed by the Vauthier family which makes this definitely that much notable.

Ch. Simard has a history that stretches all the way back to the 17th Century, where it was a significantly sizeable estate. However, in 1870 as part of an effort to expand the wine trade of Saint-Emilion, a railroad was built that pretty much split the vineyard in two - today they are known as Ch. Simard and Ch. Haut Simard, the latter of which is also owned and managed by the Vauthier family.

The vineyard had come into the Vauthier family's possession by way of Alain Vauthier (the patriarch of the family) who inherited the estate in 2008 from his uncle Claude Maziere, who had purchased the Simard property in the 1950's. This means that the estate has been with pretty much the same family for about seven decades. Worth noting for the history buffs, is also that the name Simard comes from the nearby Simard village, which was named as such by the juror of Saint-Emilion Johan de Las Symas who had established the village.

As for the terroir of the 40 hectare Simard estate, it is said to be a patchwork of clay-limestone, sand and gravel, planted with 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Vines are at least 20 years old, and the ageing is done completely in concrete vats, with no new oak used.

Let's give it a go! Onward!

Chateau Simard Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2011 - Review

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep Ruby

Aroma: Tightly bound notes of concentrated cassis with a firm tannin presence. Also some wet oak with a light minerality of slate. With time, it opens up to more on blueberries and mulberries, blossoming somewhat to take a more juicy turn.

Taste: Smooth, medium to full bodied, more on those cassis, again with strong tannins. It’s moderately rich with a good cohesiveness. Also some liquorice and light smokiness.

Finish: Cloves and tobacco leaves show up, whilst the tannins stay around. Grape skins, light soil, more mulberries, eucalyptus leaves. 

My Thoughts

This had a concentrated richness but with rather overbearing tannins. That said, with more time it softens slightly and more complexity shows up, with a good pacing of the evolution of its flavour profile. It’s off-dry and lighter bodied, with good cohesiveness and tasty earthier notes.

Kanpai!

@111hotpot