I love this estate. A bastion of classicism in a modern era.
I just knew this winery’s style could survive the roast of 2003. Clocking in at a mere 13%, this wine is fresh but ripe, open but still a bit burly. Far more open and ripe than any youngish Sociando that I have had, but it carries off the vintage very well. Beautiful nose of black fruits, spice, subtle hints of green, and a little toasty wood. Acidity is high for this vintage. Large scale on the palate, full-bodied, chewy tannins. This wine still could use some time to fully express itself but I’m thrilled to be drinking it, my first bottle, right now.
I have to admit, Pat, that my recent experience with the 2000, and you chiming in on that thread, is what prompted me to seek this vintage out. Bought a case from a fellow Berserker at a very reasonable price, and it was lovingly stored.
I’m not sure most folks, including Bordeaux fans in general, would score this wine as highly as I do right now. I simply love the Sociando style, it’s distinctive. I’ve always said, I will take a distinctive wine over a so-called great wine, 9 times out of 10. Based on what I perceive to be your tastes, I think you would like this wine. For me, it delivers in spades. If I wanted a pretty wine, I’d go elsewhere.
The 03 is definitely drinkable now for my tastes, but I think it will continue to improve for a long time. It might develop into another 1990 (a sensational vintage for SM), though possibly with even more depth.
Robert, thanks for the note, sounds really good. Last year I bought two magnums of the 2003 SM based on exactly the same thinking as yours: an estate to do well in the heat of 2003. Have something to look forward to I hope.
I’ve had this wine a couple of times, and as recently as two months ago. I thought it defied the vintage and showed plenty of structure with ripe, not roasted, dark cherries, tobacco, and had a deliciously long finish.
A friend opened a 2003 Pavie Macquin a couple of weeks ago, and, for me, it was undrinkable.
Forgot to mention I also have 6 bottles of the 750ml that I bought EP back on 2004. They are still waiting, have not tried any yet. The magnums will be longer term wines I hope/expect.
I opened the 2nd of 12 of these about 10 days ago and it was absolutely wonderful for what I paid. I can’t afford the higher end stuff, but this certainly brought pleasure. Thanks for the post.
Commerce Corner is your friend. I see various vintages of Sociando popping up for around $50 from time to time. When I wanted to grab some of the 2003, I simply posted a message on CC and within a day got a PM from a fellow Berserker with a very, very fair price on a case.