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This northerly Médoc property beyond St Estèphe has a modernist approach to their wine making, producing rich and bold styled wines. Benefitting from a very classical terroir of gravel over clay and limestone, the 2022 is deliciously exuberant and full. A touch reserved on the nose, the palate is a compote of full juicy fruits, layered with oriental spice and fresh fig. The sweetness of fruit is in harmony with the bitter chocolate edge on the finish. Quite simply, this will be a very good glass of claret in the future.
This northerly Médoc property beyond St Estèphe has a modernist approach to their wine making, producing rich and bold styled wines. Benefitting from a very classical terroir of gravel over clay and limestone, the 2022 is deliciously exuberant and full. A touch reserved on the nose, the palate is a compote of full juicy fruits, layered with oriental spice and fresh fig. The sweetness of fruit is in harmony with the bitter chocolate edge on the finish. Quite simply, this will be a very good glass of claret in the future.
The 2022 Sociando-Mallet was picked 7-23 September at just 22hL/ha. This is very concentrated and quite opulent on the nose, bit of a bravura bouquet, layers of black cherry, Christmas cake and light undergrowth scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. Quite fresh, grippy in the mouth, my only quibble is that it feels a tad abrupt on the finish. Barrel maturation should address that. Drink 2030-2060
The 2022 Sociando-Mallet is a potent, brooding wine. It shows plenty of intensity, but the tannins are overpowering. I am not sure the 2022 will ever be fully in balance, as the elements are disjointed today.
The 2022 Sociando-Mallet is a bit hard to read today. I very much admire the dynamic energy, which Sociando has in spades, but at the same time the tannins show some edginess that will need to resolve. Élevage will be critical, but it may not be enough to compensate for a vintage with hail damage and yields of just 21.5 hectoliters per hectare. Drink 2025-2034.
Aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with hints of mint, violets and licorice introduce the 2022 Sociando-Mallet, a medium to full-bodied, supple and lively wine that's deep, fleshy and seamless, with powdery tannins that assert themselves with promising youthful grip on the finish. It's a blend of 63% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc. Readers who remember how this estate acquitted itself in years such as 2003 and 1990 will not be surprised by its quality in 2022.
Château Sociando-Mallet (Haut-Médoc) 63 Merlot, 35 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2 Cabernet Franc 85% new oak for 12 months 14.5% alc 22 hl/ha Sociando was hit by dramatic hail on the 20th of June and lost half of the crop of both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Thankfully, it did not destroy all of the vintage, and they managed to bring in perfectly fit fruit come harvest time, albeit with tiny Cabernet berries. Bright, superbly energetic and open, this is an expressive wine with crisp and alert tannins. The mid-palate is currently where the action sits, offering opulence and also grace. There is more tannin than usual on the finish, interlaced with the fruit notes and perfectly balanced. This is a sensational result from what must have been a very stressful and challenging vintage.
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.
