At a glance

Producer

Château Simard

Region

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Merlot-dominant blend (primarily Merlot, with Cabernet Franc)

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Earthy

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$30-$45 USD

Tasting profile

Supple texture with notes of stewed plum, dried cherry, tobacco leaf, subtle earthiness, spice, leather, and a touch of cedar. Round, balanced, with integrated tannins and a soft, lingering finish.

Evolution: Has transitioned from primary red/black fruit to pronounced secondary (leather, tobacco, earthy) and tertiary (dried fruit, forest floor) characteristics.

At peak: Expect mellowed fruit, more prominent savory and earthy notes, and exceptional approachability.

Structure

Acidity

Medium

Tannins

Medium, now softened with age

Alcohol

13-13.5%

Aging potential

Modest—typically 8-13 years from vintage in average cellaring conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2018 to 2030

Optimal window

2016 to 2033

Current status

Nearing end of peak maturity

Current condition

The 2011 is drinking at or just past peak, showing developed secondary flavors with balanced acidity and softened tannins. Should be enjoyed soon.

Château Simard, especially from a classic but not especially long-lived vintage like 2011, tends to mature relatively quickly for Bordeaux. 2011 is considered an early-maturing vintage and offers its best drinking from 6-10 years post-harvest, with peak integration of fruit and structure achieved by around 2018-2022. Beyond this, freshness slowly fades, but graceful tertiary notes develop.

Food pairing

Grilled or roast lamb, duck breast, beef ribeye, cassoulet, mushroom risotto, venison, or aged Gruyère. Complements earthy dishes and traditional French bistro fare.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (30-45 minutes) — To lift off any bottle-reductive notes and help the evolved bouquet open up. Also useful for sediment separation.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 5/10

Château Simard practices responsible, lutte raisonnée (reasoned struggle) viticulture: limited use of chemical treatments, traditional vineyard plowing, hand-harvesting. However, there is no public record of advanced sustainable certifications or energy/water use initiatives.

Château Simard’s sustainability profile is moderate. They employ many traditional Bordeaux methods and low-intervention practices but lack third-party environmental certifications and specific, audited sustainability initiatives. Packaging is standard Bordeaux (glass bottle, cork), with no evidence of lightweighting or renewable materials. The wine is estate-grown, which helps reduce emissions associated with bulk transport or off-site vinification, but the carbon footprint is still average for a Bordeaux grand cru. For consumers deeply concerned with environmental impact, other Bordeaux estates may score higher with certified organic, biodynamic, or 'Haute Valeur Environnementale' (HVE) status.