At a stone's throw from the southern part of the Saint-Emilion appellation, the 40-hectare vineyard of Château Simard stands out. Its former owner, Claude Mazière, brought it to a new level of excellence. He was one of the rare producers to leave his wine to age for a decade in his cellar before being made available for sale. After his death, the château was taken over by the owners of château Ausone, his nephew Alain Vauthier and daughter Pauline.

Château Simard practice traditional methods of viticulture with the utmost care. Merlot and Cabernet-Franc thrive on the gravel, sand and clay rich soils and the wines are raised in concrete vats. The result: a ruby red robe that offers up complex notes of cherry stones, black fruits, nuts and tobacco that are also evident on the palate. Subtle acidity and tight tannins give this wine immense ageing potential. The subtle texture and long finish make it an excellent choice for characterful dishes such as beef stews, coq au vin or pumpkin lasagne.