The 2003 Sociando-Mallet is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc picked between September 10 and 24. It was aged in new oak barrels for 11 months. Coming from the north Médoc, it would have enjoyed onshore breezes that mitigated the summer heat. The bouquet shows no signs of that warmth, offering notes of pressed flowers, pomegranate, smoke and tobacco that open up nicely with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition, a delicate touch of white pepper and sage, good depth and a very cohesive, tobacco and spice finish that lingers long in the mouth. This is a great wine for the vintage and continues to give a lot of pleasure. Tasted at the vertical tasting at Sociando-Mallet.Vinous Media | 93 VMBeautiful and intense aromas of blackberry, lightly grilled meat and currant. Full-bodied, with loads of fruit and big, velvety tannins. Blockbuster.Wine Spectator | 92 WSThis fresh Northern Medoc demonstrates how strong the 2003 vintage can be in this sector of Bordeaux. The tannins have softened considerably, and the wine reveals a youthful dense ruby/purple color. Notes of white flowers, blackberries and black currants are found in this still youthful, medium- to full-bodied, rich wine that is just approaching full maturity. It should provide plenty of pleasure over the next decade.Robert Parker | 90 RP
