Château Sociando-Mallet 2016

Inky black in colour, with a beautiful graphite and black-fruit nose. This is undoubtedly a great Sociando this year, with precise yet juicy graphite and black fruits on the palate, from a fairly even blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Cabernet Franc too.

Dark-berry and currant aromas with hints of spice. Medium body, firm and chewy tannins, and a fresh, clean finish. Shows focus and seriousness for the appellation, as is usual from this producer. Better after 2022.

Tasted blind. Both fresh and intense with burly fruit. Sweet start and good follow-through. Acid and tannin present but not too aggressive. (JR)

Medium-bodied, fresh, bright, crisp and clean, the red fruits shine on the nose and palate, leaving you with sensations of fresh red currants, strawberry, leafy herbs, espresso and tobacco leaf. Lay this down for at least another decade and it should be even better.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, discreet brightening at the rim, inviting ripe sweet cherry, ripe plum, subtle nougat, a hint of spice in the background. Juicy, dark berry fruit, pleasant fruit, vivid tannins, fine fruits-of-the-forest confit, concise freshness, persistent, will mature further, definite ageing potential.

The nose shows some new wood with red and dark fruit, rather floral, high-toned aromas and a fine touch of wood. The palate is polished and elegant, with digest red fruit, crushed red currant, tobacco and fine woody notes. Persistent, silky finish. A very elegant take on this classic.

The 2016 Chateau Sociando-Mallet is a beautiful, complete wine that shows the classic style of this vintage beautifully. Deep ruby/purple-colored, with terrific notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, dried earth, and lead pencil shavings, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless texture, and a great finish. It has plenty of tannins, yet they're polished and nicely integrated into the wine. This brilliant Haut-Medoc is approachable today yet will be even better with 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for 15+ years.

Purple with a dense core and violet rim. Delicate, blueberry-driven nose with blackberry and cherry juice, followed by spicy cassis drops. Juicy, extract-rich palate with plenty of blue-toned shades like blueberries and blackberries; on the back palate, beguiling and very rich, finishing long on blackberry jelly. Still has clear upside potential. 17.5/20

Kunz barrel sample 17: Dense, deep, velvety, powerful bouquet—plum, dried fruit, tobacco, smoke, currants. Tightly knit, powerful palate with dense, dark aromatics; a velvety, finely muscled structure; plenty of fine tannin; robust fruit; a very long, aromatic finish with powerful echoing flavors. Has room to improve.

Velvety, dense, powerful bouquet, black berries, cassis, licorice, currants. Velvety, tightly knit, elegant palate with dense fruit, plenty of fine tannins, finely muscular structure, complex dark aromatics, long, aromatic finish. Can improve further. 18/20 2023 - 2048

Takes its time to open, this is structured and hugely impressive, back to the signature concentrated graphite, cassis, luxurious texture and plenty of graphite and crayon Left Bank kick. This one needs to be carafed if drinking any time soon. Michel Couasnon consultant, 100% new oak for 12 months then 6 months in vat. 48 hl/ha yield, harvest September 26 to October 19.

The 2016 is straighter and more sappy on the palate, while also showing a fairly ample, generous side.

Deep garnet red with purple highlights. Superb bouquet! Intense, complex and fruity. I pick up notes of black berries, freshness with menthol hints, and a multitude of seductive aromas ranging from roasted notes to spices and flowers. On the palate, Sociando is enticing—not only for its silky side but thanks to elegant, fine-grained tannins in perfect harmony with a lively, racy structure. A great success. Sociando-Mallet… quite simply… very good!

The best ever made! Beautiful, intense purplish-red color. Very aromatic, refined nose with pure, ripe fruit. Spicy nuances. Delicate on the attack in the style of a Saint-Julien, then powerful at mid-palate while remaining supple, with flavor and grace in the texture; the wine constantly caresses the palate, sapid, aromatic, and long. It’s really very good. Superb outsider.