Sociando-Mallet - Haut-Médoc 2019

Jeb DUNNUCK

94

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/30/2023

One of the best Haut-Médocs out there, and a wine that competes with any number of classified growths, the 2019 Château Sociando-Mallet is ruby/plum-hued and has a great nose of ripe red and black currants, spice, smoked tobacco, and loamy earth. It shows the more expressive, open, seamless style of the 2019 vintage and is medium to full-bodied, has beautifully polished tannins, and just about perfect balance. Smart readers will buy a case (or more) of this beauty, and it will have an incredibly broad drink window, with 30-35 years of overall longevity.

Alexandre Ma

92

byAlexandre Mathe5/11/2022

Although the aroma is relatively restrained after bottling, you can still smell flourishing flowers and fruits, even scents of vanilla and light cream on the nose. Both the structure and the tannin are noticeable, especially the super-refined powdery tannins towards the finish. It will be even more prominent after five years of bottle aging. ?????????????,????????????????????????????????????????,???????????????????????????,???????????????????5???????????

Jamessuckling.com

95

byJames Sucklingthe5/2/2022

Redcurrants with sweet tobacco, hazelnut, mint and moist earth, following through to a medium to full body, ultra-fine tannins and a palate that grows at the finish. Needs a minimum of three or four years to come around. Try after 2025.

Wine Advocate

93

byWilliam Kelleythe4/7/2022

Notes of minty cassis, cigar wrapper and loamy soil, deftly framed by toasty new oak, introduce the 2019 Sociando-Mallet, a medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated wine that’s incipiently complex and elegantly muscular in profile. The style of the vintage has lent this more youthful polish than is sometimes the case, and it will offer a broad drinking window.

Vinous

92

byAntonio Gallonithe2/28/2022

The 2019 Sociando Mallet is elegant, nuanced and understated. Sweet red cherry, plum, mocha, spice, leather, tobacco, incense and dried flowers all open nicely. The purity of the fruit is just lovely. In 2019, Sociando is classy and polished. It is also an understated wine that needs time to show its full potential, which is considerable.

Vinous

94

byNeal Martinthe2/17/2022

The 2019 Sociando-Mallet has gained composure since I tasted the barrel sample. Now it has engaging red and black fruit, cedar and freshly rolled tobacco scents, focused and quite vigorous. The palate is structured, with firm grip, very well-judged acidity, good substance and a cohesive, black-pepper- and pencil-lead-tinged finish that has real length. Top-drawer Sociando-Mallet.

WeinWisser

18

byTjark Witzgallthe7/7/2020

Bettane & Desseauve

93-94

by Bettane & Desseauvethe7/3/2020

16,5-17

Vinous

92-94

byNeal Martinthe6/16/2020

The 2019 Sociando-Mallet has a lovely bouquet with vivacious raspberry, wild strawberry and rose petal scents, touches of undergrowth coming through with time, one of the most elegant noses from this property in recent years. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red fruit, crushed stone and a discrete pinch of white pepper, focused and full of energy on the finish. What a superb Sociando-Mallet.

Decanter.com

94

byJane Ansonthe6/10/2020

The last vintage under Jean Gautreau, and it's a great one to remember him
by. Serious, with shoulders and muscles, reflecting the excellent gravel and clay soils at this spot of the Médoc in St Seurin de Cadoune. This is a longterm wine with blackcurrant and blackberry and well-formed tannins. A yield of 43hl/ha. 90% new oak. Consultant oenologist Michel-Bernard Couasnon.
Drinking Window 2027 - 2044

Jamessuckling.com

93-94

byJames Sucklingthe6/4/2020

A juicy, flavorful red with blackberry and blueberry character. Some dark chocolate and walnuts, too. It's full-bodied and layered with hazelnut and spice undertones. Velvety and poised.