| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Haut Médoc |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This Northern Medoc property of 57 hectares has been making wine of classed growth quality for many years. Always matured in 100% new oak, the blend is usually around 50:50 Cabernet and Merlot.
The 2016 Sociando Mallet has an attractive bouquet of cranberry, wild strawberry, cedar and light loamy aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, though it is well balanced with a fresh, quite mineral-driven finish that has grace and charm. This is a splendid Sociando-Mallet that I suspect will meliorate with cellaring. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting. 2022 - 2040
Dark-berry and currant aromas with hints of spice. Medium body, firm and chewy tannins and a fresh and clean finish. Shows focus and seriousness for the appellation, as is usual from this producer. Better after 2022.
Inky black in colour, with a beautiful graphite and black fruit nose. This is undoubtedly a great Sociando this year, with precise yet juicy graphite and black fruits on the palate, from a fairly even blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Cabernet Franc too.
Drinking Window 2023 - 2040
Very dark glowing crimson. Great graphite nose. Some rich meatiness. Very much pushed up the ripeness scale. Seems richer than I remember it but it's clearly very ambitious. Thick and sweet. Not really my style but it will over-deliver to those who are still looking for a wine from the 1990s! Drying end.
Drink 2024-2040
This Northern Medoc property of 57 hectares has been making wine of classed growth quality for many years. Always matured in 100% new oak, the blend is usually around 50:50 Cabernet and Merlot. Charred cherry wood, cedar and roasted blackberry on the nose. The palate is firm in tannins with a chewy structure giving backbone to cool but ripe black fruits. The touch of spice on the finish adds a nice layer of complexity and length.
The nose is fresh and firm and the start of the palate bright. Mid sweetness the fruit feels ripe firmer and fresher at the back the finish is quite tight. 2025-36
The 2016 Sociando-Mallet has a refulgent purple/black color. It has a very intense and rich, you might say "ambitious" bouquet with layers of small black cherries, blueberry and a touch of sloes, less tertiary than previous vintages and certainly more opulent. The palate is medium-bodied with juicy ripe tannin that almost disguise the firm structure underneath. I admire the completeness of this Sociando-Mallet, the neatly embroidered new oak and the freshness on the finish. The 2015 Sociando-Mallet did not fire on all cylinders last year, but this 2016 is totally convincing. It comes highly recommended as one of the best wines produced at this estate in the northern Médoc. This is an outstanding wine from Mon. Gartreau. Drink 2022 - 2045.
Tight and chewy yet polished and beautiful. Medium to full body, a pretty core of fruit within the center palate and a flavorful finish. Better than 2015 and on the same level as the excellent 2014.
