At the foot of Sainte Victoire, Château Simone is named after one of its former owners, Madame de Simon. It is "the" big name in the Palette appellation, an AOC as small in size as its wines are great in stature, when they are enhanced by the talents of the winemaker. The Rougier family's wines are definitely in this category: they have have watched over the Simone style for nearly two centuries. Vines have been grown here since Roman times; located at an altitude of 200 metres, on a north-facing slope surrounded by forests that protect them from the searing heat of the Provencal summers. The vineyard and winery are managed according to traditional methods, and the wine is aged in a series of multi-level vaults that were carved out of the rock by the Grands Carmes d'Aix monks in the 16th century. The property consists of 20 hectares, eight of which are planted with white grapes (Clairette, Grenache, Ugni, Muscat), and the rest with red (mainly Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault). Note that there are also some very rare typically Provencal grape varieties such as Manosquin and Castet. The property produces wines in all three colours.

Vinified with the same care as its counterpart, the red Grand Carmes is a lovely wine crafted by an emblematic, southern domain. Made to be aged, it develops an incredible texture after a well-deserved ageing. Its deep and complex bouquet invites a moment for sharing and eating well; it could even be considered a meditation wine.
The domain blended numerous, local varietals including Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Syrah, Castet, Manosquin, Carignan, and different Muscats. They have all been growing for around 50 years on a north-facing chalky slope that protects the plants from the strong heat. The grapes are harvested by hand before being thoroughly sorted, destemmed, and trodden. The must is placed in small vats and the domain practices pumping over as well as a long maceration lasting two to three weeks. The wine is then matured for 8 months in small foudres before spending a year in oak casks.
Meat lovers will enjoy this cuvée with a rich dish in sauce such as wild boar with mushrooms.