Château Haut-Simard 2022

Characteristics and Tasting Notes of Château Haut-Simard 2022

Tasting

Color
The color reveals a beautiful red hue.

Nose
The bouquet is bright and smooth, carried by perfectly integrated red fruit aromas and subtle floral notes. Mineral touches reminiscent of pencil lead intertwine with more complex nuances of leather, mocha, and rose petal.

Palate
The palate stands out for its liveliness and precision, offering a medium-bodied texture. Mouth-watering acidity brings great freshness, while the fine, chalky tannins, marked by graphite, stretch the wine toward a persistent and precise finish.

Food and Wine Pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with roasted or grilled red meats, such as beef, as well as with herb-crusted lamb. It also pairs well with veal, pork, or subtly prepared game such as duck or venison. To end the meal, aged hard cheeses like Comté make excellent partners.

Serving and Aging

To fully enjoy Château Haut-Simard 2022, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Decanting for about an hour is advised when tasting it young, ideally within the first five to seven years following its release.

Other Characteristics

This wine has an alcohol content of approximately 14%.

The Elegance and Precision of a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

The Estate

Located on the right bank of Bordeaux, Château Haut-Simard traces its origins back to the sixteenth century, although its current name was established in 1865 by the Simard family. Separated from its neighbor by the construction of a railway line in 1870, this Saint-Émilion estate has had several owners before being acquired in 2008 by the renowned Vauthier family. Today, Alain Vauthier and his daughter Pauline run the property with passion. They have brought new energy to the estate, elevating its wines among the most reliable names in the appellation through a rigorous approach that respects the terroir.

The Vineyard

The ten-hectare vineyard benefits from an ideal south-southwest exposure, making this Saint-Émilion terroir a truly sun-drenched cru. The vines thrive on heterogeneous soils blending clay and limestone at the foot of the slope, combined with sand and gravel. A deep water table ensures a steady water supply. Since 2008, the estate has opted for very high-density planting, reaching 12,600 vines per hectare, and is moving toward environmentally friendly viticultural practices inspired by biodynamics.

The Vintage

The year 2022 offered particularly favorable growing conditions, allowing the berries to reach optimal ripeness. This favorable climate notably fostered exceptional ripening of the cabernet franc, marking a real stylistic turning point for the estate in this harvest.

Winemaking and Aging

After meticulous hand harvesting and highly precise sorting, the vinification of Château Haut-Simard 2022 takes place in temperature-controlled concrete vats. This method allows for gentle extraction and optimal temperature management. Aging, lasting around twelve months, is carried out using a moderate proportion of oak barrels, a deliberate approach aimed at preserving the freshness of the fruit and the identity of the terroir.

Grape Varieties

70% cabernet franc
30% merlot