2016 | Château Simard | Saint-Émilion | France

A St-Émilion Grand Cru from the family behind Château Ausone — elegant, unoaked, and aged from a great vintage.

Château Simard is a St-Émilion Grand Cru owned by Vignobles Vauthier, the family behind the legendary first-growth Château Ausone. Unusually, Simard sees no new oak — a choice that preserves purity and finesse — and is a Merlot-led blend with Cabernet Franc from the celebrated 2016 vintage. It's a wine prized for elegance and its ability to age gracefully.

An Ausone-family St-Émilion in a great vintage is quiet Bordeaux insider value. Vauthier ownership, no new oak, 2016 vintage → finesse and purity over power → you're drinking serious St-Émilion pedigree.

• ~75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc
• Saint-Émilion Grand Cru — Bordeaux, France
• Château Simard — Vignobles Vauthier (Château Ausone family)
• No new oak · celebrated 2016 vintage

Kirsch, black cherry and blackberry over cloves, tobacco leaf and menthol with velvety tannins and a bright, refreshing line. Translation: an elegant, refreshing St-Émilion — pure dark fruit and gentle spice on velvety tannins, all finesse and no heaviness. Lovely now, rewarding over the next decade.

An Ausone-family St-Émilion from a top vintage. Exactly the Bordeaux for a roast or a few years in the cellar.