Wine Advocate 90 / 100 byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2015 Once again proprietor Jean Gautreau has hit pay dirt with a beautiful blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Wonderfully sweet, ripe tannins seem to be a rule of thumb from this great terroir just to the north of St.-Estèphe’s Château Montrose. A beautiful deep ruby/purple color, decent acidity, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and stunning fruit put this wine right in the midst of the best classified crus from the Médoc, yet it has never been classified. Go figure. Softer than I would have suspected (and I’ve been following and buying this wine since the mid-1970s), this wine will still age beautifully for 10-15+ years.
Jamessuckling.com 90 / 100 byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015 Intense aromas of red and black cherries with light floral notes. Full body, silky tannins, lovely acidity and long, fruity finish. Polished tannins. Needs to open. Better in 2018.
Le Point 16,5 / 20 byJacques Dupontthe5/16/2013 Nez boisé, fruits noirs, bouche ronde, souple, bien fruitée, tendue, élégante, un peu serrée en finale, tenins veloutés, long. O= 2015 G= 10 ans
Asian Palate 89 / 100 byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe5/15/2013 Well made red from Sociando-Mallet this year with nice mid palate weight and good balance. Plums, cassis and red fruits mingle in this wine with supple tannins. This wine shows potential to age and evolve over the next 5-8 years. Fairly long finish.
Wine Advocate 89-91 / 100 byNeal Martinthe5/3/2013 The Sociando Mallet has an impressive, lifted blackberry and cedar scented bouquet with just a faint hint of bell pepper. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy, “stringy” tannins but good length and it fans out nicely on the savoury finish. This is a fine wine from Jean Gartreau. Tasted April 2013.
Wine Spectator 88-91 / 100 byJames Molesworththe4/30/2013 Delivers a solid core of blueberry and blackberry fruit, with an ample coating of toast. A graphite edge courses through the finish. —J.M.
Wine Advocate 88-90 / 100 byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013 A noteworthy success for this conscientiously run property that has overperformed for much of my 35-year career, the black/purple-hued 2012 Sociando Mallet reveals notes of camphor, black truffles, asphalt and abundant blue and black fruits. Layered, rich and concentrated with sweet tannin and a more forward, precocious personality than is normal for this estate, it should drink well for 10-12 years.Drink: 2013 - 2025
My Bettane + Desseauve 16-16,5 / 20 the4/25/2013 Très réussi, il montre un nez racé et épanoui, une bouche dense, complète, structurée, avec une superbe étoffe et un très beau grain de tannin, de la tension et de la fraîcheur. Un cabernet bien mûr, longueur et équilibre, belle énergie.
Decanter.com 17 / 20 bySteven Spurrierthe4/22/2013 Dense colour, striklingly pure Cabernet cassis nose, richness of fruit and firmness of ripe tannins, a wine of real class and as usual one of the very best Haut-Medocs. 17/20pts ( 90/100pts)Drink: 2017 - 2025
Jancis Robinson 16 / 20 byJancis Robinsonthe4/17/2013 Drink 2016-2023Inky core. Cedary cassis. Herbaceous. Pretty dry on the palate, leafy but the tannins are attractive – fine and dry. Very nice if you like leafy. (JH)