21368 customer reviews

Château Simard 2012 (Magnum)

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru|Red wine

3.9/5 (7 customers)

1*Étoile

Hachette

15/20

Bettane & Desseauve

15/20

Gault & Millau

15/20

Decanter

“This wine, aged in concrete tanks, has a lovely velvety texture that lends Simard incredible charm; the fruit is very precise in this medium-bodied wine, with a lovely violet finish. ” (Le Figaro - Bernard Burtschy) Fresh and very elegant, this Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, owned by Alain Vauthier (Château Ausone), has a silky texture and a luscious flavor that begs to be enjoyed!

Buy your Simard wines at the best price in a private sale!

Rated site

21368 reviews

-20€

Starting at €99 on your first order

Estate

Château Simard

Vintage

(Magnum)

Vintage

2012

Designation

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Region

Bordeaux

Grape Varieties

65% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc

Regions

sandy-clay, gravelly, and sandy soils

Viticulture

traditional and refined

Grape Harvest

at peak ripeness

Livestock farming

in concrete tanks

Alcohol content

13%

Eye

dark ruby color

Nose

aromas of graphite, cherry pit, blackcurrant, tobacco, and nuts, with a woody undertone

Palate

Nice acidity and firm tannins. Smooth texture. Long finish

Serve

at 16-18°C

Drink from

2018

Drink before

2021

Food and wine pairings

It will pair very well with beef and carrots, pork skewers, lamb chops...

More information at Château Simard

More information at Saint-Emilion

Bettane & Desseauve

Wine rated 15/20 (Very good wine)

Rated estate (2020 guide): 2 stars (A solid, recommendable wine, though slightly more consistent and uniform than the previous vintage)

About the wine:

With its elegant roundness and already well-integrated tannins, this wine is ready to drink now.

About the estate:

Pauline and Alain Vauthier, owners and winemakers of the famous Château Ausone, manage this family estate, where they have established two cuvées—Simard and Haut-Simard—covering some 50 hectares. The latter, launched in 2007, has become a sure bet. The wines age beautifully in the bottle. We appreciate their suppleness and approachable tannins. For under 20 euros, it’s hard to find a better deal!

Decanter

Wine rated 15/20

Guide Hachette des vins

Wine noted (guide 2016) 1*Star (Very successful wine)

Rated estate (2020 guide) Award-winning wines (This producer’s wines regularly receive awards from the guide)

About the wine:

Vinified and aged for eighteen months in concrete tanks, Simard’s 2012 vintage (35% Cabernet Franc blended with Merlot) offers a fresh bouquet of violets, black fruits, bramble, and spices. This freshness carries through to a silky, supple, and refined palate with round tannins, further enhanced by a subtle, elegant herbal note on the finish.

About the estate:

Separate yet inseparable: Simard and Haut-Simard were created in 1870 when the Count of Simard’s vast estate was divided by a railroad line; the former comprises 40 hectares, the latter 10 hectares, acquired in 1954 by Claude Mazière and taken over upon his death by his nephew Alain Vauthier (Ausone). The Vauthier family also operates Château de Fonbel, not far from Simard.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

Wine rated (2014 guide) 15/20 (Very good)

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

Rated estate (2020 guide) Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate)

Wine Enthusiast

Rated estate (2020 guide) Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Wine Enthusiast)

Customer rating

3.9/5

based on 7 reviews

Review by Mr. FRANCOIS J. Published on January 3, 2019

It's okay, but nothing special; for me, 2012 wasn't a great vintage—that must be why there are so many of them for sale in the Bordeaux region.