Chateau Sociando-Mallet 2016

Critical Acclaim: 94 pts James Suckling, 94 pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 pts Decanter, 92 pts Jeb Dunnuck, 92 pts Vinous.

About the Winery: Château Sociando-Mallet is one of the most respected properties in Haut-Médoc. Owned by Sieur Sociando in the 17th century, the Mallet family added their name following their acquisition of the estate in the 19th century. Since 1969, the Gautreau family has endowed this iconic Bordeaux Left Bank property with their passion and energy.  The 57-hectare vineyard is located at the top of the Baleyron hill, in the commune of Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne. The vines are 35 years old on average and are planted on a terroir composed of gravel and clay upon a clay-limestone subsoil.

Tasting Notes: "Tight and chewy yet polished and beautiful. Medium to full body, a pretty core of fruit within the center palate and a flavorful finish. Better than 2015 and on the same level as the excellent 2014." - James Suckling.

"The 2016 Sociando-Mallet has a refulgent purple/black color. It has a very intense and rich, you might say "ambitious" bouquet with layers of small black cherries, blueberry and a touch of sloes, less tertiary than previous vintages and certainly more opulent. The palate is medium-bodied with juicy ripe tannin that almost disguise the firm structure underneath. I admire the completeness of this Sociando-Mallet, the neatly embroidered new oak and the freshness on the finish. The 2015 Sociando-Mallet did not fire on all cylinders last year, but this 2016 is totally convincing. It comes highly recommended as one of the best wines produced at this estate in the northern Médoc. This is an outstanding wine from Mon. Gautreau. Drinking Window 2022-2045" Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.

"Inky black in colour, with a beautiful graphite and black fruit nose. This is undoubtedly a great Sociando this year, with precise yet juicy graphite and black fruits on the palate, from a fairly even blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Cabernet Franc too. Drinking Window 2023-2040" -Decanter

"The 2016 Chateau Sociando-Mallet is a beautiful, complete wine that shows the classic style of this vintage beautifully. Deep ruby/purple-colored, with terrific notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, dried earth, and lead pencil shavings, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless texture, and a great finish. It has plenty of tannins, yet they're polished and nicely integrated into the wine. This brilliant Haut-Medoc is approachable today yet will be even better with 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for 15+ years. Drinking Window 2021-2036." -Jeb Dunnuck.

Varietal: 50% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc.