2012 Haut Simard
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2012 Haut-Simard offers good mid-palate depth for the vintage, with a distinctly gamy, pleasantly rustic personality that distinguishes it in the Vauthier family's range of wines. Tobacco, savory herbs, leather and dark-fleshed fruits open into the finish. The tannins are a bit rough around the edges, but otherwise this is a fine effort.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Haut-Simard may turn out to be a sleeper of the vintage. Offering an attractive combination of Christmas fruitcake, balsam wood, kirsch liqueur and spice box, this richly fruity, generously endowed, medium-bodied, lush, plush, consumer-friendly wine will drink well for 7-8 years.
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. Fermented in concrete but aged in barrique. Less aromatic than the Simard. Touch of oak char. Pure and fresh but a bit lean in the middle and chalky dry on the finish. (JH)
The 2012 Haut-Simard may turn out to be a sleeper of the vintage. Offering an attractive combination of Christmas fruitcake, balsam wood, kirsch liqueur and spice box, this richly fruity, generously endowed, medium-bodied, lush, plush, consumer-friendly wine will drink well for 7-8 years.
About the producer
Ch. Haut-Simard is owned by the Vauthier family of Ch. Ausone. Since Alain Vauthier took over the Saint-Emilion estate in 2008, quality here has risen exponentially with vintages from 2019 onwards in particular showing the potential of this exceptional terroir.