2018 Château Sociando-Mallet
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Tasting notes
The architecture through the palate is a little unusual here - silky texture with weight that reflects a higher Merlot content. It's a good quality enjoyable wine, with brambled hedgerow character and plenty of cocoa dusting and liqourice root. François Hugueniot technical director as of this vintage, moving over after a career in US and South Africa. Highest alcohol to date in this lineup and the first one where there is a hint of heat (an issue I found generally with the 2018 vintage). 90% new French oak for ageing, harvest September 19 to October 12.
Critic scores
James Suckling
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Healthy colour. More complex nose than most of its peers. Pretty sweet and ambitious with a nice minerally undertow. Long. (JR)
Yes, it is slightly crazy to suggest drinking a Sociando Mallet now, when we all know how well it can age, but 2018 is a vintage that is full of rich damson and blackberry fruits, intense and concentrated, and one that begins to sing after three or four hours in a carafe. Lots of tannins, chocolate shavings and liquroice. You could also look for the 2nd wine, Demoiselle de Sociando Mallet, which wouldn't need a carafe.