Chateau Simone Palette Blanc 2018
Provence
Regular price $64.99
Palette Blanc 2018
Chateau Simone
Provence, France
My Tasting Note:Provence, France
Medium gold color. The nose was a stunning med+ intensity, salty, waxy primary and tertiary yellow and golden fruits, nutty notes too. The palate was med+ acidity and body with pronounced flavors and a long, lingering persistent finish of the salty, waxy, nutty white and golden orchard fruits. Blind I would have sworn it was Tondonia Blanco as the subtlety and intensity were identical to many vintages I have tasted. But, I'd say this had a little more of that Provencal sunshine in it as the fruit dilineation was a little more je ne sais quoi! Either way, I just hope we have enough to meet demand and some extra for the shop!
This wine has never been reviewed, not one vintage of the blanc ever. They don't need to, they sell everything they make that they want to sell each vintage. The white Palette from Chateau Simone is gorgeously complex and dense with an elegance and not weighty, despite the aroma and flavor density which only grows with time in the bottle. In their youth, they offer a wonderfully vibrant light gold color with orchard fruits, highly fragrant, with a salty tang and a fine, lightly woody touch. The blanc boasts exceptional aging potential, turning to a deeper golden hue as it matures, progressively acquiring a nose and palate that is both potent and yet still refined and delicate.
Vineyard
Mainly on north-facing slopes, limestone scree soil. Vine age averages 50+ years old (some plots are more than a hundred years old).
Varieties
Clairette 80%, grenache blanc 10%, bourboulenc 5%, ugni blanc 3%, 2%: semillon & furmint.
Harvest
Hand-harvested, when the grapes are fully mature. Grapes sorted at the vine and in the cellar.
Vinification
Light crushing. Straining and pressing on a vertical hydraulic press. The must fruit is reworked manually and light settling. Fermentation with native yeasts.
Maturation
In small oak casks for 18 months, 6 of them on fine lees. Matured in barrels for one year before bottling.