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Sociando Mallet 2011

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Haut Médoc
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Sociando-Mallet

Label

Tasting Notes

Whether it is due to the vintage or to Gautreau, the ferocity of the tannins in many 2011 Medocs seems relatively tame, but there is no lacking concentration in this wine, which is clearly of classified growth quality. It boasts a dense purple color along with abundant notes of creme de cassis, crushed rocks and spring flowers. Medium-bodied and super-rich, it is a real revelation in a vintage such as 2011. Given its precociousness and silky tannins, it can be drunk in 2-3 years, or cellared for two decades.

Since I began covering these wines nearly 35 years ago, Sociando Maillet, with its fabulous terroir north of St.-Estephe, has been one of Bordeaux's greatest over-achievers. It continues to prove that it should have been included in the 1855 Classification of the Wines of the Medoc. Proprietor Jean Gautreau is an example of a winemaker/vigneron/viticulture who does everything right regardless of vintage conditions.

91
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (212), April 2014

Pretty blackberry and earthy character. Medium to full body, medium-chewy tannins and a fresh finish. Layered and stylish. Excellent for the vintage. Better in 2016.

90
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2014
89
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2012

Good, Pauillac-style fruit, very good length and tannins. Drink 2016-2025.

16.5
Steven Spurrier, Decanter.com, April 2012
Read more tasting notes...

The 2011 may turn out to be even better than the 2009 Sociando Maillet. Its opaque purple color is not unusual for a young Sociando Maillet, but the creme de cassis, graphite and floral characteristics impressively saturate the olfactory senses. Medium to full-bodied with excellent purity, texture and length as well as remarkably sweet tannins, this wine should drink nicely for 10-15 years.

90/93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (200), April 2012

The Sociando Mallet has a pleasant , earthy bouquet that is natural and shows none of those green elements that can sometimes bridle young Sociando. The palate is medium-bodied with dusty tannins over a decent core of dry, earthy black fruit. Foursquare on the finish. Tasted April 2012.

86/88
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2012

Mineral and blueberry character with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Refined style of Sociando with firm backbone. Needs a little more fruit in the mid-palate.

88/89
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2012
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.