CHATEAU SOCIANDO-MALLET Haut-Medoc 2023 Wooden Case x 6 Bottles - PRE-RELEASE

Description

THE WINE ADVOCATE (90-92)
Reviewed by: William Kelley
The 2023 Sociando-Mallet is showing well, exhibiting aromas of cherries and cassis mingled with hints of pencil shavings and toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's lively and classically structured, with sweet tannins, bright acids and a penetrating finish. The blend is 50% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc, which attained 14% alcohol.

Sociando-Mallet has long been a favorite of Bordeaux insiders, and it's easy to understand why. Occupying the same terrace of Gunzian gravel that one finds at estates such as Montrose, Léoville-Las Cases and Latour, and planted at a high density of 8,333 vines per hectare, it's located just to the north of Saint-Estèphe, right on the banks of the Gironde. That location, delivering temperatures some two to three degrees Celsius cooler than Margaux to the south, combined with clay subsoils, means that this estate invariably delivers especially fine performances in warm, dry vintages (the 2003 is showing beautifully today, for example). And although it wasn't planted in 1855, and thus isn't a classified growth, Sociando-Mallet's performance in blind tastings tells its own story. Director François Hugueniot told me that it was necessary to pick Merlot quite early, to retain vibrant fruit, and then to wait for Cabernet; so, harvest was very protracted, beginning on September 11 and concluding on October 4. The result is once again a very strong set of wines.

JAMES SUCKLING **** 94-95 Points
15 Apr, 2024 – This is very classic Sociando with brightness and linearity to the wine, as well as blackcurrants and a citrus undertone. Medium-bodied with refined tannins. Long, very crisp and fresh. Lower pH here of 3.55.

DECANTER 94
Tasted by: Georgina Hindle (at Bordeaux, 25 Apr 2024) Part of Best Médoc, Haut-Médoc, Moulis & Listrac 2023 wines tasted en primeur
Drinking Window: 2027 - 2040
Dark fruit, violet notes, black cherries and touches of liquorice. Supple and lively, really tangy and zesty, bright but not over the top with such a creamy, chalky texture giving a soft grip. Generous but controlled, I like the style, there’s concentration but keeps such a cool blue fruit edge which gives freshness and the minerality doesn't stick out at all. Expressive and elegant, but with body and something to get your teeth stuck into. Lovely suppleness but finally ends grippy and stony with the salinity lingering on the very long finish with mint, liquorice and clove. Characterful. I like this a lot. A stand out wine and top buy! 60% grand vin production. 8% press wine. 3.55pH. Ageing 12-14 months, 80% new oak.

JANE ANSON 94

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