Magnum Castle Sociando-Mallet

Wein Wisser

17,5 / 20

the5/22/2017

Purpur mit satter Mitte und violettem Rand. Delikate, blaubeerige Nase mit Brombeere und Kirschsaft, dahinter würzige Cassisdrops. Am saftigen und extraktreichen Gaumen mit viel blauen Schattierungen wie Heidelund Brombeeren, im Rückaroma betörend und sehr reichhaltig, endet im langen Finale auf Brombeergelee. Hat noch deutliches Potenzial nach oben.

Bettane & Desseauve

94 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017

Harmonieux, complexe, long, plus réussi et précis que les années précédentes, même pour les 2010 et 2014, peut-être encore un peu trop merlot pour égaler, sauf au niveau de la vinification, les grands vins des années 1980.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

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. Gartreau.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2017

Deep in color with dark red fruits, earth and tobacco and an herb and olive note, this wine has good weight and density. The tannins are round and polished and the finish is packed with dense, dusky fruits.

Vinous

88-91 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/26/2017

The 2016 Sociando Mallet is endowed with remarkable density and pure power, but it will be a number of years before the 2016 is ready to show all it’s got. Today, the wine's sheer luxuriousness is remarkable. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, spice and leather are all pushed forward. This is an especially concentrated, powerful vintage for Sociando, perhaps too much, but the wine's exotic beauty is, in my view, irresistible. Tasted two times.

Decanter.com

92 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/25/2017

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.

matthewjukes.com

17,5 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/25/2017

Dense and almost opaque, this is a thrilling Sociando-Mallet with huge fruit and yet it is all in balance. This is a very good wine with huge shoulders and yet the frame hangs off this perfectly. In need of some age, this is a true Grand Vin and it is every bit as impressive as many of the starrier named estates in neighbouring communes. 17.5+

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/20/2017

Very dark glowing crimson. Great graphite nose. Some rich meatiness. Very much pushed up the ripeness scale. Seems richer than I remember it but it's clearly very ambitious. Thick and sweet. Not really my style but it will over-deliver to those who are still looking for a wine from the 1990s! Drying end.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2017

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.