2010 Sociando Mallet

95 JA

Qty:

From the critics:

90+ VM

90 DEC

89 JS

A very classic wine for patient connoisseurs, Sociando Mallet makes no compromises and continues to produce one of the finest wines among non-classified estates in Haut-Medoc. Dense purple to the rim, the opaque purple-colored 2010 offers up notes of graphite, blueberry and black raspberry fruit, a hint of cassis, some licorice and wet rocks. Deep, full-bodied and almost excruciatingly tannic, this full-throttle, balls-to-the-wall style of wine needs at least 8-10 years of cellaring and should keep for three decades or more.

Robert Parker | 91+ RP

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.

Vinous Media | 90+ VM

Lifted aromas of eucalyptus and menthol, with an initial attack of juicy dark fruit - but this drops on the mid-palate, and the tannins still feel a touch drying. Needs more time. Drinking Window 2019 - 2029.

Decanter | 90 DEC

Type of Wine	Bordeaux Red : Picture in your mind a combination of cedar, lead pencil, blackcurrant, plum and mineral aromatics, and texture that caresses your palate like a playful lover. The experience is thrilling from the first whiff to the final seconds of a tannic, generous finish - that is what you'll get from a Bordeaux Red
Varietal	Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
Country	France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.
Region	Bordeaux : Even among the greatest and most reputable wine regions on the planet, Bordeaux stands above the rest. The winemakers of this region have a single-minded dedication to the fine art of viticulture and their efforts never fail to show. If you consider yourself a fine wine enthusiast, you owe it to yourself to visit Bordeaux - life changing. Whether you wish to drink some inspirational and gripping wine as soon as possible, or you want to add some masterpieces to your collection, no region on Earth is a more obvious choice. The noble and beautiful Garonne and Dordogne rivers surge through southwestern France, enriching the soil in a way very few other places can boast. The limestone-based earth is rich in calcium, and the almost oceanic climate conditions give the staple Bordeaux grape varietals vigor and flavor like nowhere else. For their illustrious reds, Bordeaux winemakers rely on a proven combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Meanwhile, a sip of their excellent white wine hints at the use of Semillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon Blanc.Each of these varietals carries a unique identity, making every quality wine a character piece to rival Citizen Kane. It can be incredibly hard to choose only a few wines to collect for your cellar!
Subregion	Left Bank
Appellation	Haut Medoc

Producer	Chateau Sociando Mallet : There is an old adage that all the best vineyards in Bordeaux have a prime view of the Gironde. If this is true, Chateau Sociando-Mallet with its unobstructed view of the water from both directions has a privileged terroir. It was here, in the village of Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne in the winegrowing appellation of Haut-Medoc where Jean Gautreau discovered Sociando-Mallet. The 83-hectare Left Bank estate’s history can be traced back to 1633 when it was founded by a nobleman known as “Sossiondo” from the Basque region; phonetically renamed “Sociando.” During the French Revolution, the estate was seized and sold and for a time known as Sociando-Lamothe. In the 1850’s, it was sold to a navy captain (Mallet) who, following the customary naming at the time, renamed the estate Chateau Sociando-Mallet. This would mark the birth of the estate but it would lay in wait until 1969 for its true discovery…for its true potential to be unveiled. When Jean Gautreau first saw the property of Sociando-Mallet, the estate was in poor condition; the chateau itself uninhabitable, cellars dilapidated and a mere 5 hectares under vine. Nevertheless, it was love at first sight. His selective vision of the dire situation at Sociando-Mallet turned into a love affair which propelled the estate towards greatness. His expansion and replanting of vines was his first order of business as he remodeled and renovated the winemaking facilities. He added temperature controlled stainless vats and repaired older concrete ones to modernize the facility and adding a tasting room with natural lighting, accentuating the natural view of the Gironde. Gautreau was highly attuned to the fact that the property lay in prime real estate, being so far north in the Left Bank and enjoying the terroir found in both Pauillac and Saint Estephe. The vineyards enjoy a cooler climate, allowing them to excel in overly hot, dry years. The terroir consists of “Gunz” gravel with a subsoil of clay, sand and limestone and is remarkable for growing excellent Cabernet Sauvignon and producing wines with wonderful freshness. The 83-hectares under vine are planted to 54% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. The vines are an average 35 years of age and are grown on the superb Baleyron gravelly hillock around the house and winery buildings. Sun exposure is optimum and breezes off the estuary keep the vines well aired and healthy. The huge mass of water in the estuary and nearby ocean accounts for a temperate micro-climate without wild swings in temperature. The flagship, Sociando-Mallet has an annual production of close to 35,000 cases. The estate also makes a second wine from the property’s youngest vines, named La Demoiselle de Sociando-Mallet. Interestingly, a third wine is produced but only in the greatest vintages, aged in the most remarkable barrels and is extremely limited. The “Jean Gautreau” label was first seen in 1995 and was supposed to be a onetime endeavor for private consumption; however, it has been put into production in only the best vintages and sometimes finds its way onto the secondary market. However quickly it lands on the market, it also finds its way off just as quickly. Sadly, in 2019 at the age of 92 and after 50 years of managing Sociando-Mallet, Jean Gautreau passed away. His Daughter, Sylvie, who lives and breathes Sociando-Mallet and her son, Arthur are now operating the estate. They tend to it with love and care, continuing in the legacy of a man who discovered a truly beautiful property and from it produced truly beautiful wine.