Château Sociando Mallet, Haut Médoc, 2010
From and exceptional gravel terroir to the north of Calon Segur and enjoying a direct view over the Gironde, Sociando Mallet has a loyal following, built up on a reputation of producing long-term, sophisticated wines that can match the far more glamorous names from St Estephe, Pauillac and St Julien. The 2010 possesses a cabernet dominated nose, packed with pencil shavings and stoney minerality. This is a modern style for Sociando Mallet, packed with plush, bright cherry fruit, raspberries, heady hedgerow fruit; a panoply of ripe berry fruit and fine grained tannins.
critic reviews
Fennel, black chocolate, crushed roses, cassis, blackberry, will run and run, and is exceptional value, particularly in the context of the vintage. Tasted ex-retail, not ex-chateau. Harvest September 24 to October 12. 100% new oak for ageing, native yeast fermentation. One corked bottle, second tasted exceptional.
The 2010 Sociando Mallet has a well defined, pure bouquet with blackberry, bilberry and light estuarine scents that gently waft from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, a fine bead of acidity and good weight. It just needs more complexity and terroir expression on the finish. Give this another two or three years. This is one wine where I have encountered better bottles. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.