93pts Int'l Wine Cellar

Bright ruby-red. Rich, perfumed aromas of black raspberry, blackberry, minerals and cocoa powder. Big, dense, lush and deep, but with lovely sappy vinosity; this expands impressively to fill the mouth. Finishes very long, with suave, broad tannins and a note of black olive. A gloriously successful vintage for Sociando-Mallet, offering a full range of cabernet aromatics.

92pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

This is a beautiful wine and certainly one of the great sleepers of the vintage. I originally predicted that this wine would be at full maturity between 2007 and 2028, but I would push that back by a good 4-5 years. Still inky/purple, with notes of acacia flowers intermixed with wet rocks, black currants, and blueberries, the wine is full-bodied, displays no real evidence of any oak, and offers up terrific concentration, texture, and length. For those who bought this beauty at $30-35 when it was available, this was a terrific buy, and it should continue to evolve for 20+ years.

91pts Wine Spectator

Very smoky, with charcoal, almost lamblike aromas. Full-bodied, chewy and very rich, with a thick and velvety finish. Stylish and decadent young wine.

Decanter

Big smoky, bacony wine, wild violets, lots of extract of cabernet fruit, a real classic.

Winemaker Notes

Château Sociando-Mallet produces full-bodied wines with a deep, dark colour. Their complex bouquet is usually dominated by black fruit aromas with a touch of minerality and well-integrated, elegant oak. Often somewhat "virile" when young, the wines gain in balance and complexity with age. They are fresh, straightforward, and have a wonderful length.

Château Sociando-Mallet has always been a wine with great ageing potential. A wine to be enjoyed even after 30 years in great vintages.