Château Sociando-Mallet - Haut-Médoc 2020

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

A key figure in the Médoc, Jean Gautreau is one of the architects of the revival of its crus. Respected by his peers, he has raised Sociando-Mallet to the level of a Classified Growth, greatly enlarging the vineyard since his purchase in 1969. Today, of the property's 85 hectares, some 50 are at the level of a third or even second cru classé. Assisted by his daughter, Jean Gautreau is one of the few owners to supervise the vinification himself. These are benchmark wines, with an inimitable touch and identity. Médoc at heart, they are always full of finesse. The estate now has a gîte, Villa Sociando, at Port de la Maréchale, 3 kilometers from the property.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

Once again, this cru lives up to its reputation and terroir with a wine that progresses in intensity throughout the tasting. A pretty red color, it begins its aromatic expression with a certain discretion before revealing all its complexity with aeration: crushed strawberry, blackcurrant, fine toastiness, sweet spices. A fruitiness well blended with wood that is reflected in a full, dense, crisp palate, combining power and freshness. 2027-2033

About the domain :

In the 17th century, it was a noble land belonging to a Basque family, the Sossiando. Confiscated during the French Revolution, it has had several owners. At the end of the last century, Jean Gautreau brought its potential to light. A broker with Miailhe, he set up his own company in the late 1950s to sell wines in the Benelux countries. A customer asked him to find an estate with a fine terroir. He discovered Sociando-Mallet: overlooking the estuary, a superb gravelly hilltop on a clay subsoil. When the customer didn't follow up, he bought it for himself in 1969, restructured it, enlarged it (originally 5 ha, now 82) and built a winery. Unclassified, it is one of the appellation's most important crus, now run by Sylvie, daughter of Jean Gautreau, who died in 2019.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the domain :

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

Sociando 2020 is quite dense, marked by a high proportion of Merlot, which is reflected in its round, suave character. Pleasant and flattering, it's a wine that will evolve well over a decade.

About the domain :

Sociando-Mallet is a brand with a strong reputation that has captured the hearts of true wine-lovers. Many of the vintages from this lovely property in the northern Médoc are equivalent to very good crus classés. Jean Gautreau, who spent half a century building Sociando-Mallet, passed away at the end of 2019, leaving the torch to his daughter Sylvie. Widely distributed in France and Belgium, the cru remains a safe bet and, above all, always offers optimal value for money. A vast replanting project was initiated some ten years ago, forcing the cru to produce more "merlot-like" wines. They have more roundness, but probably less breed. We no longer find the magical brilliance of 1982, 1990 or 1996, which remain benchmarks.

Vinous A. Galloni

About the wine:

Sociando Mallet 2020 has retained the impressive aromas it presented in barrel, with beautifully defined blackberry and raspberry, pressed violet and light cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with a firm structure, a slightly powdery texture, a fine structure with plenty of freshness and tension towards its graphite-infused finish. Well done! 2027-2045

James Suckling

About the wine:

It has a lovely nose of dark spices, walnut shells and cedar notes with a backbone of black fruits, which continues into a medium body with firm, finely polished tannins. Refined and well-balanced with a velvety texture. Persistent, chalky finish. Try after 2026.

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

Sociando-Mallet at its finest: velvety density, fine tannins and finely minty freshness of aromas, with deep notes of black fruit. Remarkable balance. The sapid finish is never-ending, and the wine offers delicious persistence on the palate.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Sociando-Mallet brilliantly confirms the promise shown during the primeurs. Of course, the ageing doesn't go unnoticed, but it's just an accompaniment that gives way to notes of dark berries, licorice, graphite and mint. The wine stands out for its fullness, elegance and serenity. Its fleshy, slightly sweet tannins go hand in hand with a structuring acidity that complements the fruity expression on the finish. This is a great Sociando-Mallet. Somebody up there must be very proud! 2027-2045