Though iconic in the opinion of some, the wine of Provence’s Chateaus Simone and Pradeaux have always flown under the radar of critics and, therefore, the larger fine wine market. That is no longer the case as overdue praise emerges for Provence and, specifically, two of our longest standing partners in the region. Covering 31 wines to vintages as far back as 1977, the Wine Advocate published the first comprehensive Chateau Simone review from a major critic. Similarly, Vinous’s in-depth report on Southern France celebrates Chateau Pradeaux as one of Bandol’s great treasures. Finally, we are validated for what we have known to be true for decades: the inimitability of the standard-bearing Chateau Pradeaux and the greatness and visceral individuality of Chateau Simone.
Chateau Simone has been in the hands of four generations of the Rougier family since 1830 and holds a virtual monopoly on the Provencal appellation of Palette. Its hard limestone soils, elevation, and the pine forest-influenced microclimate allows Chateau Simone to produce exceptionally compelling and unique white, red, and rose wines transcending the region’s rose-colored reputation. The 2021 and 2022 Palette Blancs serve as reference points, with Simone's full-bodied 2022 Palette Blanc sensually layered with spice and complex notes of pine resin and a limestone salinity persisting through its elegant, oily texture. And its red counterpart 2021 Palette Rouge is tenacious but equally elegant matching the blanc’s pine influence with deeply complex and spiced cassis, blackberry, blueberry, and black olives. With remarkable focus, power, and structure, it’s considered a defining vintage of the 2020s for the estate.
The appellation of Bandol is more commonly known than Palette, but there is nothing common about Chateau Pradeux. In the hands of the Portalis family since before the French Revolution, the estate has maintained its great traditions and pivotal reputation as one of Bandol’s most historic domaines. Pradeaux Bandol Rouge champions old vine Mourvedre, which comprises no less than 95% of the wine. The grapes are never de-stemmed so time is deployed to tame its brooding, tannic, and stemmy character, spending over 4 years in large wooden barrels. The resulting 2020 Chateau Pradeaux Bandol Rouge, described as “beguilingly delicious” by Vinous, demonstrates a vivid medium-bodied wine with seamless integration of the whole clusters, pronounced with complex notes of wild strawberry, licorice, and blackcurrant leaf. Chateau Pradeaux’s Bandol Rose, receiving icon status and recognition as the most serious among its peers, is robust, rich, and complex lends this powerful rose to graceful ageing. Chateau Pradeaux’s newest release, 2025 Bandol Rose, demonstrates the vintage’s Mediterranean-fueled warmth while also providing freshness to its medium-bodied palate. As structured and serious as it is refreshing, Pradeaux’s Bandol Rose will enjoy continued depth throughout its life in the bottle.
“Some of the most exciting French wines are not the ones that announce themselves the loudest,” declares Vinous’s Nicolas Greinacher. We couldn’t agree more. Simply put: these wines speak for themselves. Nonetheless, the recognition is more than deserved for both domaines each upholding deep, ancient traditions and larger than life reputations.
Grower Spotlights
Since coming home to work at his family’s domaine full-time in 2018, Paul Fumoso—with mom Stéphanie by his side—has steered Gour de Chaulé to new heights, and the wines of this stalwart Gigondas estate are more popular stateside than ever.
Grower Spotlights
Rather than crafting their lineup to accommodate perceived market demand, Philippe and Vincent allow the character of the growing season to dictate which wines they produce from a given harvest.
Grower Spotlights
In Jacques’ modest cellar beneath his house in Montigny-les-Arsures, Emeric learned the virtues of restraint and the value in trusting one’s fruit; he learned to act as shepherd rather than “winemaker,” and his wines at Les Matheny embody that philosophy arguably more emphatically than even Puffeney’s did.
