Château Sociando-Mallet 2022

Sweet, lifted aromas of blackcurrants and red cherries on the nose. Firm and fluid, this is packed with energy and verve, with a gorgeous texture of crushed stones and powdery liquorice. Juicy and vibrant yet also concentrated and streamlined. It walks the line between showcasing the vintage’s strength in ripe fruit and accents of heat, with super-fine tannins and cool menthol elements. An excellent wine that really delivers on the charm front. Give it a few years to soften further. Classy.

Blackberries, black currants, flowers, cedar, mint, and tobacco fill the nose. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated, deep, and packed with layers of chalky, ripe, red fruits, spice, herb and cigar wrappers. This is among the best vintages of Sociando Mallet I have ever tasted. Drink from 2027-2050. 93-95 Pts.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, brightening on the rim. Delicate notes of leather and black cherries, nougat and blackberries, orange zest underneath, attractive bouquet. Substantial palate, dark berries, firm tannins, good freshness, dark chocolate, mineral and salty finish, convincing length. Good ageing potential.

Seductive bouquet of freshly picked blackcurrant, refined violet perfume and blackberry jelly, followed by iris notes and Grether pastilles. On the sublimely toned palate, a silky texture, beguiling extract richness, and a tight-knit frame of ripe tannins. The concentrated, aromatic finish shows wild cherry, tarragon, and fine-grained astringency.

Heavy on the spice, a ton of concentration, even in a vintage like 2022 with its natural exuberance. They build this wine with an eye on the long term, and even after En Primeur it underlines that character of dark fruits, big tannins, slate scrape, espresso and a natural unfussy confidence. Sylvie Gautreau owner.

A generous bouquet, evoking a basket of freshly picked red fruits. On the palate, a clean, fresh texture and a tangy core.

The freshness and depth of Sociando-Mallet are apparent right away, without lengthy explanation, with terrifying (or extraordinary) efficiency! The wine creates a symbiosis of vegetal notes, fruit, spices, ripeness, and peppermint. Dense and elegant on the attack, the wine doesn’t seek breadth or opulence; it opts for what we know it for: going straight to the point while winning over as many people as possible, so uplifting and authentic, with tannins that will carry it far. A little patience will be required. A wine of its author, its place, its life, its future. Jean must be jubilant and proud of Sociando. Kudos to the whole team.

The nose benefits from decanting. It shows a certain power, a touch of concentration, velvety texture and finesse. It reveals notes of boysenberry, crushed strawberry and, more subtly, elegant roasted red berries, with hints of blond tobacco and Bourbon vanilla, as well as fine touches of Timut pepper and sweet spices, plus a hint of plum blossom. On the palate, the wine is nicely mineral, juicy, with a touch of freshness, roundness and a slight richness. It offers a mineral backbone and a certain roundness. It expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackcurrant and bright cherry, and more discreetly crushed raspberry, with hints of tobacco, cardamom and Bourbon vanilla, as well as a balsamic touch, cubeb pepper and fine toasted nuances. The tannins are supple, elegant and indulgent, with aromas of cherry blossom. Lovely minerality. A wine offering gourmandise and harmony.

Deep dark red color with black and purple highlights. Superb, intense nose—delicate, fruity, pure, and subtle. More hedonistic than the 2016 at the same stage. Precise on the attack, highly aromatic mid-palate, constantly supported by fine, silky texture; the wine melts, juicy, flavorful, and fragrant, leading to a long, suave finish with fine-grained tannins. Blend: 63% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol: 14.5%. Yield: 22 hl/ha.

That distinctly Médoc character on the first nose is something many classified growths could envy. It ticks all the right boxes: graphite and cedar, blackcurrant and menthol. On the palate, it shows more restraint, a little corseted by a tannic frame that is still firm, but we know everything will soften with ageing; Sociando is a wine that reveals itself over time.

The blend is led by Merlot in 2022, with 63% of the total, along with 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc. There is a density of pigment in the glass, and sweet wealth of fruit on the nose, both of which are immediately reassuring. I find notes of damson, liquorice, blackcurrant and toast, a little surprising given the assemblage, while the palate is similarly rich in dark and savoury fruits. Underneath is a robust, confident, dry but tightly knit tannic structure which suggests this is a Sociando-Mallet set for the long haul, the tannins lingering with intent in the finish. A very smart result for the Gautreau family. The alcohol on the label is 14%.

Tasted blind. Deep crimson. Rich and sweet. But good freshness, too. Very appealing! Smooth and alluring. GV? (JR)

The 2022 Sociando-Mallet is a beauty, wafting from the glass with aromas of cassis, plums, pencil shavings, espresso roast, licorice and violets. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it's velvety and layered, with powdery tannins and a long, penetrating finish. It's a blend of 63% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc. As I wrote en primeur, readers who remember how this estate acquitted itself in years such as 2003 and 1990 will not be surprised by its quality in 2022.