2010 Château Sociando-Mallet

Fennel, black chocolate, crushed roses, cassis, blackberry, will run and run, and is exceptional value, particularly in the context of the vintage. Tasted ex-retail, not ex-chateau. Harvest September 24 to October 12. 100% new oak for ageing, native yeast fermentation. One corked bottle, second tasted exceptional.

From the first nose this is very much a classic Sociando Mallet in the best sense of the word, has a touch of rose stem, mint and rhubarb that brings freshness and lift, with floral aromatics of rose petals and violets. Precise and well laid out, delicious quality, with a moreish, salivating finish. Harvest September 24 to October 12. 100% new oak for ageing, native yeast fermentation, 79ha in production. Michel-Bernard Couasnon consultant.

The 2010 Sociando Mallet has a well defined, pure bouquet with blackberry, bilberry and light estuarine scents that gently waft from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, a fine bead of acidity and good weight. It just needs more complexity and terroir expression on the finish. Give this another two or three years. This is one wine where I have encountered better bottles. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.