Sociando Mallet is sometimes described as the Latour of the northern Medoc. The same ridge of gravel that runs through Leoville Las Cases and Latour reappears further up the Gironde estuary just to the north of St Estephe, underneath Sociando. This meticulously run estate has been producing wines of Cru Classé level for many years now, so sadly it is not priced like most Cru Bourgeois... However, if you are looking for serious, mineral Claret with long-term aging potential and Pauillac class (but not the price tag), then look no further.