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Sociando Mallet 2005

Haut Medoc, Cru bourgeois

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Tasting Notes

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.

Score: 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2019-2050 01 June 2015

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.

Score: 91

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2017-2040 30 April 2008

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+.

Score: 91 - 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2035 30 April 2007

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.

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 April 2006

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.

Score: 15

Jancis Robinson MW, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2010-2016 01 January 1900

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

Score: 85 - 88

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 January 1900

Consistently one of the best wines of the Northern Medoc, Sociando deserves to have classed growth status. A fresh nose of blackberry and hints of eucalyptus. Big and structured on the palate, there is considerable weight of grippy tannins that protrude above the fruit at the moment leading to a very dry finish.

Score: -

Albany Vintners, - 01 January 1900