Items not labeled as Rapid Ship or Pre-arrival may require a transfer from the warehouse to our shipping facility before shipping, which can take 4–6 business days. Learn more on the Shipping Info page.
In-store Only Items
These items are available at our location to purchase in-store, or to choose in-store pickup at checkout.
Long-term Pre-arrival Items
Long Term Pre-arrival Definition: Ordering wine directly through us from our supplier partners in Europe in advance of the item’s physical arrival in the US.
Long Term Pre-arrival sales ensure you’re getting the best possible price and that you have also secured the product before it hits the normal retail supply chain. The lead time for Pre-arrival goods is generally 4–8 months, sometimes longer based on supply chain and the logistics of transporting goods overseas. The expectation, from our team, is to communicate to the customer the location of their purchase every step of the way.
This product is offered as a full case purchase option, minimum order quantities may be applicable. When available, multiple case options will be presented. If you are purchasing a Pre-Arrival item you must order a solid case.
Rapid Ship
Items listed as "rapid ship" are in stock and available for immediate pickup or shipment. Those that do not have the "rapid ship" icon are housed with our supplier and must be transferred to our warehouse before they can be picked up or shipped. This requires 4-6 business days but usually occurs sooner. Some products will list both options of availability as there will be a certain number in stock, with the option to order additional bottles to be transferred from the supplier.
We offer FREE ground shipping and discounted upgraded shipping on orders with multiples of 12 qualifying bottles. Solid cases or mix-and-match, look for the yellow 12 FREE badge and save!
Sample image only.Please see Item description for product Information. When ordering, the item shipped will match the product listing if there are any discrepancies. Do not order solely on the label if you feel it does not match product description.
SKU 855984
$70.20/bottle
Out of stock
Want to be notified when this product is back in stock?
The cedar, mushroom, bark aromas highlight the black cherry and blue fruits. Full-bodied with an impressive concentrated center palate and chewy, creamy tannins. Really well done. Try after 2024.
There are few regions in the world with stricter regulations in regards to wine production and grape varietals than those found in Bordeaux, France. Here, in the home of the world's finest wines, the type and quality of grapes used is of utmost importance, and the legendary wineries which work on the banks of the Gironde river have mastered the careful art of juice blending to find the perfect balance for their produce. Whilst there are six 'official' Bordeaux grapes, the two key varietals for almost every fine Bordeaux wine are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and with good reason. Whilst Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are renowned for their acidity and astringency, strong fruit and spice flavors and full body, Merlot grapes are notably rounded, soft, fleshy and lighter on tannin. The combination of these two varietals, along with a small percentage of (commonly) Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc, is the perfect balancing act – the two grape varietals cancel out each others weaker points, and accentuate all that is good about the other.
France, often regarded as the heart of the wine world, boasts a rich history, diverse terroirs, and a captivating variety of grape varietals. From the renowned vineyards of Bordeaux to the picturesque landscapes of Burgundy, France offers a wine lover’s dream journey. Whether you’re new to the world of wine or a seasoned enthusiast looking […]
Bordeaux: The Pinnacle of Terroir Expression In the illustrious realm of wine, Bordeaux stands as a beacon of excellence, where history, tradition, and terroir converge to create some of the world’s most iconic wines. Bordeaux’s rich mosaic of vineyards is characterized by the left bank, right bank, and the sweet symphony of Sauternes. Each of […]
The beautiful sub-region of Saint Emilion in France's legendary Bordeaux region is regarded as the home of many of the world's finest red wines. The blending techniques employed in Saint Emilion have been passed down for generations, and aim to express the very finest flavors of the grape varietals used, most commonly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The climatic conditions in Saint Emilion are perfect for growing many of the Bordeaux grapes, and high yields of exceptional quality are commonplace. Fed by the mighty Gironde river and benefiting from superb clay and gravel based soils, Saint Emilion produces millions of bottles of high quality blended and unblended red wines each year, and continues to be a firm favorite of wine experts and the general public alike.
JS94pts
James Suckling
The cedar, mushroom, bark aromas highlight the black cherry and blue fruits. Full-bodied with an impressive concentrated center palate and chewy, creamy tannins. Really well done. Try after 2024.
JD92pts
Jeb Dunnuck
From the brilliant team at Ausone, the 2018 Château Simard checks in as a blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. This pure, elegant, medium to full-bodied Saint-Émilion has ample smoky cassis fruit, licorice, violets, and building minerality. I love its tannins. It’s a pretty, elegant wine that’s going to evolve for 15+ years or more, although it should be impressive with just a few years of bottle age as well.
WA91pts
Wine Advocate
A blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Simard opens with vibrant Morello cherries and baked plums scents, giving way to hints of dried lavender, tilled soil, black olives and bay leaves. The elegant, refreshing, medium-bodied palate delivers plenty of juicy fruit, textured with soft tannin, finishing with an invigorating lift.
VM90pts
Vinous Media
The 2018 Simard has come together beautifully during élevage, which has tempered some of the edges that were present en primeur. Soft and pliant, with pretty aromatics, Simard is a very pretty wine to drink now and over the next decade, while the red berry fruit remains vibrant. Dried flowers, mint, cedar and sweet tobacco linger. Alain and Pauline Vauthier have done wonders for this once-rustic Saint-Émilion since they took over management of the château a few years back.
WE90pts
Wine Enthusiast
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.
DC90pts
Decanter
This is full of softly textured ripe red fruits. It has clear acidity that makes it just a little abrupt on the finish, but also gives a sense of life and uplift. On sand-dominant soils, so they had to be very careful with the dry summer, but they have handled it extremely well. Harvest 21-28 September for the Merlot, October 7 for the Cabernet Franc.
1.5Ltr
