Chateau Sociando-Mallet 2016
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A Haut-Médoc wine that harmoniously combines power and finesse
The estate
Overlooking the Gironde estuary for almost three centuries, Château Sociando-Mallet is one of the most respected properties in Haut-Médoc. Owned by Sieur Sociando in the 17th century, the Mallet family added their name following their acquisition of the estate in the 19th century. Since 1969, the Gautreau family has endowed this iconic Bordeaux Left Bank property with their passion and energy.
The vineyard
Château Sociando-Mallet is a Haut-Médoc wine that stems from a 57-hectare vineyard located at the top of the Baleyron hill, in the commune of Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne. The vines are 35 years old on average and are planted on a terroir composed of gravel and clay upon a clay-limestone subsoil.
Winemaking and ageing
The grapes were harvested by hand and sorted on a table before and after destemming. Traditional vinification in temperature-controlled cement and stainless steel vats with pumping over and racking. Vatting for 25 days. Malolactic fermentation in vats. Aged for 12 months in barrels, 90% of which were new.
Blend
Merlot (50%)
Cabernet Sauvignon (47%)
Cabernet Franc (3%).
Château Sociando-Mallet 2016: Characteristics and tasting tips
Tasting
Colour
This wine showcases a dark colour, with purplish hues.
Nose
The powerful and utterly pure nose blends fruity fragrances (black fruits, wild blackberries) with savoury balsamic notes.
Palate
The palate entices with its fullness, its aromatic intensity and its precision. Very fine tannins stretch to a smooth and caressing finish.
The 2016 Sociando-Mallet has a refulgent purple/black color. It has a very intense and rich, you might say ambitious bouquet with layers of small black cherries, blueberry and a touch of sloes, less tertiary than previous vintages and certainly more opulent. The palate is medium-bodied with juicy ripe tannin that almost disguise the firm structure underneath. I admire the completeness of this Sociando-Mallet, the neatly embroidered new oak and the freshness on the finish. The 2015 Sociando-Mallet did not fire on all cylinders last year, but this 2016 is totally convincing. It comes highly recommended as one of the best wines produced at this estate in the northern Médoc. This is an outstanding wine from Mon. Gartreau.