2012 Chateau Simone Palette Blanc

The 2012 vintage of Simone Blanc represents a consolidation of the wine’s distinctive traits with a boldness and harmony that we haven’t encountered in a very long time. 2008 and 2010 Simone Blanc were sleek and compact vintages of the wine. 2012 is about density, grandeur and freshness. In 2012, the singularity of Simone Blanc is unmistakable. The 2012 is a profoundly textural and complex example of this wine. The minerality, herbs, pine resin and various stone fruits possess an emphatically caressing depth. The signature thread of bright and noble acidity is always in the background and comes to the forefront in the long and classy finish. The explanation for Simone’s uniqueness begins with the fact that the limestone vineyards are unusual in that they face north and thus experience much less of Provence’s intense sunlight. The blend is also pretty unusual. It’s mainly Clairette along with Grenache Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Bourboulenc, Muscat Blanc, Picpoul, Furmint and Sémillon. Some from vines over 150 years old.