Château Sociando Mallet
AOC Haut Médoc
Sociando-Mallet has throned on the Butte de Baleyron, one of the finest gravelly terroirs in the Médoc, since the 17th century. Situated in the commune of Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, north of Pauillac, the vineyard overlooks the Gironde estuary on a bend in the river.
Situation
Property stretches over a total of 120 hectares, of which 83 are under vine
Grape varieties
42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 54% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc
Soil
Günz gravel over a deep layer of clay-limestone soil
Ageing
12 months in new barrels
Available Vintages
Alcohol
13°
Blending
55 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 40 % Merlot et 5 % Cabernet Franc
Description
Full-bodied wines with a deep, dark color. Their complex bouquet is usually dominated by black fruit aromas with a touch of minerality and well-integrated, elegant oak. Often somewhat “virile” when young, the wines gain in balance and complexity with age. They are fresh, straightforward, and have a wonderful length
Tasting
“Whether it is due to the vintage or to Gautreau, the ferocity of the tannins in many 2011 Medoc 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.” – Robert Parker
Alcohol
13.5°
Blending
55 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 40 % Merlot et 5 % Cabernet Franc
Description
Full-bodied wines with a deep, dark colour. Their complex bouquet is usually dominated by black fruit aromas with a touch of minerality and well-integrated, elegant oak. Often somewhat “virile” when young, the wines gain in balance and complexity with age. They are fresh, straightforward, and have a wonderful length
Tasting
“The 2014 Sociando-Mallet put in a great performance in barrel. Now in bottle, the sophistication is evident on the nose with beautifully defined black fruit tinged with cedar and graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, supple tannin, a silver bead of acidity and superb focus towards the finish. The energy here is superb and it tempts you back immediately for another sip. Probably a Sociano-Mallet that will drink young, yet there is the class to suggest it will age supremely well.” – Wine Advocate
Alcohol
13°
Blending
55 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 40 % Merlot et 5 % Cabernet Franc
Description
Juicy, fruity, elegant, beautiful length, soft tannins
Tasting
“This shows focus and brightness for a 2017 with firm and silky tannins and a vivid character. Fine and polished texture. Beautiful. Close to the 2015.” – James Suckling
