# Château Simone Palette Rosé (2024)

- **Producer:** Château Simone
- **Colour:** rosé
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Syrah
- **Region:** Provence, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €50
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** raspberry, strawberry, cherry, rose, grapefruit, fennel, white pepper, vanilla, toast, butter

## About this wine

Château Simone is the historic emblem of the Palette AOC, a tiny appellation near Aix-en-Provence. Owned by the Rougier family since 1830, the estate features north-facing limestone terraces and a unique microclimate cooled by the Arc river and the Montagne Sainte-Victoire. This historic estate is renowned for producing wines of extraordinary longevity and complexity, defying the typical conventions of Provence.

## Interesting facts

- Château Simone is the undisputed star of Palette, an appellation that covers only about 45 hectares in total.
- Unlike most Provence rosés, Château Simone is aged in oak barrels, giving it legendary aging potential of a decade or more.
- The estate's vineyards are primarily north-facing, protecting the grapes from extreme heat and preserving vital acidity.

## Food pairing

This is a highly gastronomic, structured rosé with phenolic grip and complex herbal notes. It requires dishes with weight and savory depth, such as Mediterranean seafood stews, roasted poultry, or grilled rich fish, rather than light summer salads.

## Wine making process

The grapes are hand-harvested, sorted, and destemmed. For the rosé, it is produced using a combination of direct pressing and the saignée method. Fermentation occurs in small oak casks using indigenous yeasts. The wine is then aged in oak foudres for several months, followed by time in older barrels, which is highly unusual for rosé and contributes to its exceptional structure, texture, and aging potential.