Château Simone Blanc Palette, 2022

Château Simone Blanc 2022 from the tiny Palette appellation in Provence is one of France’s great, characterful whites—complex, ageworthy, and distinctly old-world in style. Crafted predominantly from old-vine Clairette blended with Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Ugni Blanc, and a touch of Muscat, it offers depth and nuance rarely found in Provençal whites. Long regarded as a cult wine among sommeliers and collectors, Simone Blanc is a benchmark for serious, gastronomic white wine from the south of France.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2022 Château Simone Blanc shows a luminous straw-gold color with subtle green reflections, deepening slightly with aeration. The nose is layered and expressive: ripe orchard fruits (pear, yellow apple), preserved lemon, and white peach unfold alongside notes of fennel, anise, almond blossom, chamomile, and a gentle hint of honey and wax, all underpinned by a discreet, savoury minerality. On the palate, this is a structured, textural white with a remarkable balance between concentration and freshness. Flavors of stone fruit, citrus oil, and white flowers mingle with dried herbs, Mediterranean garrigue, and a saline, almost chalky backbone. The Clairette lends firmness and length, while Muscat brings a delicate lift of aromatics. The finish is long, dry, and subtly nutty, suggesting excellent potential for further development. While already enjoyable in its youth with a bit of air, the 2022 vintage has the stuffing to age gracefully for 10–15 years or more, gaining complexity, tertiary notes, and additional depth over time.

Production
Château Simone’s vineyards lie in the sheltered amphitheatre of the Palette appellation near Aix-en-Provence, on limestone and clay soils rich in stones and marine fossils, surrounded by pine forests and garrigue. This distinctive terroir, combined with north-facing slopes and cool air currents from the surrounding hills, tempers the Provençal sun and allows for slow, even ripening. The estate’s vines, many of them very old, are traditionally farmed with low yields and largely manual work, including hand-harvesting to ensure optimal selection of bunches. In the cellar, the white is vinified with a classic, restrained approach: gentle pressing, careful settling, and fermentation in a mix of large oak foudres and/or neutral barrels, followed by extended aging on the lees. This slow, oxidative-leaning élevage helps build texture, complexity, and longevity while preserving the wine’s natural freshness and mineral definition.

Food & Serving
Château Simone Blanc 2022 is a superb table wine that shines with refined, flavourful cuisine. It pairs beautifully with Provençal dishes such as aioli, bouillabaisse, grilled sea bass, and roasted Mediterranean vegetables, as well as richer preparations like lobster, scallops, or monkfish in beurre blanc. It also complements roasted poultry, veal in cream sauce, mushroom dishes, and aged hard cheeses or mild washed-rind cheeses. Serve at around 10–12°C (50–54°F); slightly cooler for an aperitif, and closer to 12°C at the table to reveal its full aromatic spectrum. Decanting for 30–60 minutes is recommended, especially in its youth, to allow the wine to open and show its complexity.

Producer
Château Simone is a historic family-owned estate located near the village of Meyreuil, just east of Aix-en-Provence, and is the undisputed reference of the tiny Palette AOC. The estate’s origins date back to the 16th century, and it has been in the hands of the Rougier family since the 19th century, who have carefully preserved its traditional methods and distinctive style. In a region more commonly associated with rosé, Château Simone has earned a reputation for producing some of the most serious and ageworthy whites (and reds) in southern France, beloved by wine professionals around the world. Its wines consistently stand among the region’s top bottlings, noted for their singular character, longevity, and faithful expression of an exceptional terroir.