Château Simone Rouge Palette, 2021

Château Simone Rouge Palette 2021 is a classic, characterful red from one of Provence’s most storied estates. Sourced from old vines on a unique limestone amphitheatre just outside Aix-en-Provence, this wine captures the soulful, savory side of southern France rather than the simple, sun-drenched stereotype. It’s a serious, ageworthy red that marries Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Syrah into a complex and elegant whole, rooted in centuries of tradition in the tiny Palette appellation.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2021 Simone Rouge shows a deep garnet core with ruby highlights at the rim, hinting at both concentration and freshness. The nose opens slowly, revealing layers of red and black berries, wild cherry and blackcurrant, underpinned by notes of dried herbs from the garrigue, crushed violets, tobacco leaf, cedar, and a touch of leather and spice. On the palate, this is medium to full-bodied with a firm, refined structure and a distinctly dry, savory profile. Juicy red and dark fruits are wrapped in fine-grained tannins and lifted by lively acidity, giving the wine both energy and depth. Flavors of cherries, blackberries, black olive, dried thyme, licorice, and a subtle earthiness flow into a long, mineral finish. Still youthful in 2021, it will benefit from a bit of patience, with an aging potential of 10–15 years in good cellaring conditions, evolving toward more truffle, forest floor and leather complexity over time.

Production
Château Simone’s vineyards in Palette are perched on north-facing limestone and clay slopes surrounded by pine forest, giving a cooler microclimate than much of Provence and a distinctive mineral backbone to the wines. Many of the vines are very old, traditionally bush-trained, and farmed with great care, with yields kept low to maximize concentration. Harvest is typically done by hand, parcel by parcel, to ensure optimal ripeness for Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Syrah, along with small amounts of other traditional local varieties. In the cellar, vinification is resolutely classic: long fermentations, gentle extraction, and aging in large, neutral foudres and older barrels to preserve terroir character rather than overlaying it with new oak. The result is a wine that feels both traditional and timeless, with a strong sense of place.

Food & Serving
This is a versatile yet serious food wine, ideal alongside Provençal-inspired dishes and hearty Mediterranean cuisine. Think slow-braised lamb shoulder with rosemary, daube de boeuf, grilled duck breast, game birds, ratatouille, or roasted root vegetables with herbs and olive oil; it also sings with hard cheeses like aged Comté or Tomme de Savoie. Serve at 16–18 °C (just below room temperature) for optimum balance and aroma expression. Young bottles of the 2021 will benefit from 1–2 hours in a decanter to soften the tannins and allow the bouquet to unfold; older bottles should be decanted gently mainly to remove sediment.

Producer
Château Simone is one of the great traditional names of Provence, a historic estate whose reputation far exceeds the tiny size of the Palette appellation. Owned and farmed by the Rougier family for generations, Simone has become a benchmark for ageworthy, terroir-driven wines in a region more often associated with rosé and easy drinking. The château’s vineyards have been cultivated since at least the 16th century, and its singular microclimate and old vines have long been recognized for producing wines of remarkable character and longevity. Today, Château Simone is widely regarded as the reference point for Palette, with its reds, whites and rosés regularly sought after by collectors and sommeliers for their authenticity, complexity and ability to age gracefully.