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Château Simone, Palette
René Rougier
The vineyards and Château of this domaine can be seen decorating the densely wooded hillsides to the east of Aix en Provence, overlooking the motorway. These are some of the oldest vineyards we have seen, and even the experts are unsure of the variety of some of the old vines, which were planted as a mix of varieties. The oldest vines were planted in 1891, and René Rougier, who runs the domaine with his family, and who has worked the vineyards since 1952, has never replaced a vine during all his time on the
domaine.
The White is one of our favourite whites; maybe unfashionable, but very nutty, complete, and complex, almost reminiscent of Vin Jaune in the richness of fruit. It spends about 18 months in wood, and is from Clairette and Grenache Blanc. The
Rosé is a very intriguing wine, also vinified in oak barrels, with ripe herbs and garrigue tones, and powerful but elegant fruit. One of the most serious rosé wines in existence. The Red
is soft, spicy and with raspberry and garrigue aromas and flavours, ripe, baked and earthy, with rounded tannins.
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