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Medium- to full-bodied, the 2005 Sociando Mallet is a bit reticent on the palate, but on the nose, it is smoky and rich with notable structure and length. Needs time. Drink 2016-2030+.
Medium- to full-bodied, the 2005 Sociando Mallet is a bit reticent on the palate, but on the nose, it is smoky and rich with notable structure and length. Needs time. Drink 2016-2030+.
The 2005 Sociando-Mallet is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc picked between September 19 and October 6. It has a very well defined bouquet of red currant, cranberry and wild strawberry fruit; pressed white flowers emerge later, along with a hint of truffle. The medium-bodied palate shows wonderful definition, good cohesion and a touch of spice and black pepper. The tannins are very fine and focused, and the finish fans out wonderfully. I remember being impressed with this out of barrel, and 13 years later it is seriously fulfilling its potential. Tasted at the vertical tasting at Sociando-Mallet.
It’s hard not to admire the brilliant Jean Gautreau, who has run this great terroir and estate (just to the north of St-Estèphe’s Château Montrose) with meticulous perfection for decades. The 2005 is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc. Offering beautifully sweet crème de cassis and blueberries, this is concentrated essence of blue and black fruits, with some underlying minerality, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, and stunning texture, length and purity. This is superb Sociando Mallet, with surprisingly sweet tannin, which is even more remarkable in this vintage of high and occasionally hard tannins. Give it another 4-5 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 30 years.
Always one of the most ageworthy and backward wines of Bordeaux, Sociando Mallet could be described as the poor man’s version of Latour or Montrose. Based on the still painfully young bottles of the 1975 and 1982 in my cellar, the 2005 will undoubtedly last for 30-40 years. It exhibits graphite, black currant liqueur, smoke, and toast characteristics, zesty acidity, huge tannins, and equally massive concentration and extract. From a proprietor who consistently transcends his pedigree, it is a beauty of purity and symmetry. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2040.
As one might expect from this exceptional estate that makes 30 plus-year wines, the 2005 is backward and firm with an inky/purple color, and a classic nose of graphite, crushed rocks, creme de cassis, smoke, and pain grille. With good acidity and ripeness, undeniable minerality, medium to full body, and high tannin, this infant will require considerable cellaring. It should age effortlessly for three decades. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035+.
As one might expect, proprietor Jean Gautreau has produced an uncompromisingly, potentially enormously long-lived 2005 that is as good as most Medoc cru classes. Based on previous vintages, it will undoubtedly require 10-12 years of cellaring. Its saturated blue/purple color is followed by a sumptuous bouquet of blueberries, white flowers, and minerals. Fresh, full-bodied, well-defined, and already revealing plenty of nuances, this intensely concentrated, impeccably pure effort is a classic vin de garde. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030+.
Full, sweet, broad nose but a slight hint of greenness too. Supple, very fine tannins underneath but a bit muted compared with some other vintages. Drink 2010-16.
A pretty wine with berry, spice and mineral aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a medium finish. A little disappointing. Wait and see. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.
The Haut-Médoc is an appellation within the Médoc that stretches along the left bank of the Gironde from Blanquefort in the south to the north of Bordeaux. The region encompasses the more famous communes of St-Estèphe, Pauillac, St-Julien and Margaux. Following the 1855 classification many of its most famous estates were classified and scored as first, second, third, fourth or fifth growths. This was based on their social and commercial positions at the time. Most of these classed growths use the village appellation name, such as Pauillac. However five of these classed growths fell outside a village appellation so take the name Haut-Médoc. Many of the vineyards which are classified as Haut-Médoc may actually also be referred to as Cru Bourgeois wines. These wines have lower permitted yields and so offer great value for money.
