Château Sociando-Mallet 2002

A striking minerality, copious quantities of black currants and plums, along with some dried herbs jump from the glass of this tannic, structured, somewhat severe but large-scaled, muscular wine that oozes testosterone. Virile, structured, and perhaps too tannic for its own good, but impressively built, pure, and a wine to admire (rather than possibly enjoy), this large-scaled 2002 requires 7-10 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2025+?. One of the cru bourgeois estates that always performs at classified growth quality levels, Sociando Mallet has, for 20 years, been the insider’s choice for top quality wine that will easily withstand two decades of cellaring. Bottles of the 1970, 1975, and 1982 from my cellar are still youthful and evolving!

Dark colored but a bit herbal, almost green pepper. Medium-bodied, with aggressive tannins and a medium finish. Disappointing. Like from barrel. Best after 2007. 23,500 cases made.

This wine is fresh, with hints of ripe fruit and aromas of tobacco. It has some darkness, good black fruits and dark tannins, along with some good smoky wood.

Medium-dark garnet with a clearly lighter rim. Very appealing bouquet: red stewed plums, delicate cinnamon notes, pleasantly sweet, fully open. On the palate, refined, sweet red-berry fruit, lovely length—great fun to drink now.

03: Very dark garnet-purple. Peppery blackcurrant bouquet, hints of rose, floral notes, but also clear terroir and truffle notes, tobacco and cloves. Good tannin-acid structure, fleshy and again on blueberries, with a slightly green-tinged Cabernet; long finish, medium charm. (17/20). 09: Very dark garnet with violet reflections. A noble, layered bouquet: fine woods, coffee, pronounced blackcurrant and blackberry notes; a subtly sweet impression of oak, perfectly integrated. On the palate, firm and dense, with balanced astringency; in the background, truffle, dark chocolate and delicate smoky notes. A magnificent, perfectly vinified wine, very close to 18/20 and capable of reaching that score in three years. 08: Medium-dark garnet, clearly lighter at the rim. Very appealing bouquet: stewed red plums, fine cinnamon notes; pleasantly sweet in feel and completely open. On the palate, fine, sweetly red-berry, with lovely length, and really great fun to drink right now. (17/20). 12: I enjoyed it very much at a Wine & Dine in Ludwigshafen. Not just me. Plum paste, pumpernickel; in the finish, discreetly green-tinged, but not bothersome.

Spicy, fresh, powerful bouquet with blackberries, green herbs and tobacco. Medium-bodied, fresh palate with fine tannins, a sweet aromatic profile, and a long, refined finish. 17/20 drink – 2024

Nuanced aromatics, lightly spiced, cumin, rosemary, freshly cut grass, a little soft on the finish, less powerful grip than the 2000, but a reminder that even in more challenging vintages there is often something to enjoy in Sociando, helping its reputation for consistency. 90ha in production, harvest September 29 to October 22, destemmed, native yeasts, malo in vat with no added bacteria, unfined with light filtration, 100% new oak 12 months, plus 6 months in barrel.

Deep, dark colour; a very pure cedar nose, though still very young; impressively full-bodied for the vintage; a velvety texture typical of a vineyard with a now high average vine age; a wine made with no concessions to fashion, and one that should become a great bottle in ten years.

Garnet-red with a lighter rim. A classic, pleasant bouquet with a lovely fruity touch. Notes of black berries, mint and eucalyptus. An elegant opening, with a slightly moreish feel. On the palate, the wine shows good aromatic intensity. The tannins are slightly grainy, barely drying, and integrate well with the structure. I think this 2002 deserves a lot of credit, as it manages to find its place perfectly in a vintage known to be challenging. Nevertheless, this part of the Médoc produced a few pleasant surprises… and the proof is right here in the glass! Bravo

A very beautiful deep red color. Good intensity. Lively. Purple hues. An intense nose. Refined. Smoky. Lovely. The attack on the palate is more discreet than 2003 and 2004, but the wine shows a very, very pleasant balance. Neither too assertive nor too light. It develops very fruity and very flavorful toward a nicely long finish, with tannins that are a touch firm at first, then soften and give way to aromatic expression. It is delicious.