2015 Haut Simard

From an estate owned by the Vauthier family (of Château Ausone), the 2015 Château Haut-Simard comes from an 8-hectare parcel just in front of Canon-la-Gaffelière that’s planted to (at 12,600 vines per acre!) 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The 2015 includes a higher percentage of Cabernet Franc than normal (40%) and is a gorgeous, finesse-driven effort that sports a deep purple color as well as lots of red fruits, spring flowers, forest floor, and a building minerality that shows more on the palate. Everything is in the right place, I love its purity, and while far from unapproachable, it should be at its best from 2020-2035.

Very dark purple. Light and appetising. Racy and fine. An athlete of a wine. (JR)

Alain Vauthier's 2015 Haut-Simard is gracious and light on its feet. The impression is of a nearly weightless, lifted Saint-Émilion built on aromatics, perfume and nuance, due in part to the significant presence (40%) of Cabernet Franc. Sweet floral notes meld into a core of red cherry, plum, mint and tobacco are beautifully delineated throughout. The oak is a bit pronounced today. Otherwise, this is another fine effort from the Vauthier family. Haut-Simard is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc from clay, sand and gravelly soils planted at densities of up to 12,600 vines per hectare.