Château Haut-Simard 2018

There is a touch of austerity here; clearly a little closed compared with Simard, but good quality with plenty of potential ahead. And as of 2019, additional Cabernet Franc – up to 40% of the 10ha vineyard – to further cement the individual personality and styles of these three wines.

A creamy and beautiful red with black berry, tobacco, ash and bark. It’s medium- to full-bodied with lovely ripe tannins and a tight finish. Try after 2024.

70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc. Barrel sample. Black core and purple rim. Super-ripe but still fresh black fruit. Quite oaky on the palate though without the vanilla impression of Ch Simard just tasted. More dark chocolate here, firm, smooth and dense. Chewy and a little bit thick on the finish, lots of deep fruit. (JH)

The 2018 Haut-Simard is tangibly more complex on the nose compared directly with the Simard. It evokes sea spray and estuary scents, all beautifully interlaced with black fruit and showing very fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy blackberry and bilberry and distinctly finer tannins than the Simard that enhance its focus and precision. Quite linear on the finish, it will need 3–4 years in bottle before it hits its stride.

Black raspberry, vanilla, plum and licorice notes are instantly accessible on the nose. From there, you'll find round, lush, soft, silky-textured dark red berries. This is probably the finest vintage of Haut Simard ever produced. The wine is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc.

Deep dark ruby, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Fine savouriness of precious wood, tobacco, blackberry confit, orange zest, mineral touch. Medium body, dark cherry, rather discreet tannins, fresh structure, somewhat drying finish.

70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc. Purplish garnet with a lightening rim. Restrained nose with blueberry contours and graphite notes, backed by Provençal spice. Muscular palate with a taut framework and supporting freshness. Encapsulated finish with dried black berries.

Kunz barrel sample 19: (70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc) Spicy, fresh, light bouquet, currants, wood, herbs, coffee beans. Medium-bodied palate, finely focused with delicate fruit, fine sandy tannins, slightly muscular structure, medium aromatics, bitter finish. Has room to improve.

(70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc) Spicy, fresh, light bouquet, currants, wood, herbs, coffee beans. Medium-bodied palate with fine structure, delicate fruit, fine sandy tannins, slightly muscular frame, moderate aromatics, bitter finish. Can improve further. 16/20 2024 - 2038

This is clearly a pied-de-côte wine with a structure that shows its muscle. Ageing and time will refine this wine, which is a real success.

10-hectare vineyard on clay-sandy and gravelly soils. Aged in barrels and tanks for 12 months. Elegant, harmonious bouquet, fresh and fruity. Lively, slightly creamy attack. Very fine tannins in perfect symbiosis with the acidic structure. A sapid, balanced wine, already quite approachable while offering potential.

Delicious wine with a silky mouthfeel, developing aromatic notes and no angular tannins. Beautiful, savory length. Here again, Cabernet Franc plays a major role. They are planted at 12,000 vines/ha.

A small portion of the Château Simard vineyard is treated separately, giving this wine with elegant richness and a core of solid tannins. The ripeness and generous acidity promise aging. This wine should be drunk from 2025.