That’s great to hear Robert.
I also bought one of these from Jason when he was selling them on CC, so it’s nice to have a sneak preview from you of what mine will look like. Everything that I got from him looked pristine. Thanks Jason!
Good question. Personally I think the bell pepper is the Cab Sav. Some of the other herbal elements are the Cab Franc, but remember it’s only 5%.
I’ve been buying and drinking Sociando-Mallet since the 82 vintage. I don’t think you need to get overly excited about the bell pepper thing. In ten years you won’t care.
In an era where many decry the ubiquity of Bordeaux, this wine stands proud of its distinct tradition. This is a distinctive wine, a trait I value.
BTW this is one that Kermit used to import in the 70’s and 80’s. I’m sure he wishes he still did.
Thanks Robert. I have these in my offsite and am glad to know that the bell pepper and the cigarette ash are still very much in the mix.
Ramon
Thanks. I guess my unopened case will remain unopened for a while.
I have discovered this wine only recently and I believe I have had the 86’, 90’, and 2000 at this point. I have yet to have one that I don’t completely adore. I really like the character of Sociando and plan to start stocking up once the mailing list season blows over.
Maybe my nose is wired differently from everyone else’s, or maybe I’m drinking older ones, but I just don’t get all the green pepper that others seem to be picking up. We did a big vertical a (long) while back but I can’t find the notes for it, maybe it was ten years ago or so, so they are lost unless the WayBack Machine can find them.
Day two, this wine is just dead-smack in my wheelhouse. If you like traditional Bordeaux with some rusticity, this is it. Picked up some additional weigh overnight, more tobacco notes with chalky tannins. Funny enough, a client of mine is headed to Bordeaux in March and was asking me for a lot of pointers of where to visit, what to drink, etc. He’s a Napa Cab kinda guy, so I’m making some recommendations that make sense IMHO. Sociando Mallet is like the last one that I’d serve him.
I have not been buying much Bordeaux at all since the Bordelaise decided to increase pricing beyond common sense, so I have not bought any Sociando since the 2005 vintage. However, a critic with a palate I largely trust told me that Sociando has changed its style to its detriment in recent vintages. Can anyone comment on that?
I cannot comment on the style, but Sociando has not gone crazy in pricing.
I cannot answer this on personal knowledge. I bought, though.
Jeff Leve’s website has a decent write-up on Sociando, and his notes on the 2009 and 2010 suggest Sociando remains true to form. He’s not a big fan, thinks them too austere, green.
Looking at Parker’s (and Neal Martin’s) notes on Sociando, I don’t really see anything to suggest a big stylistic change:
2010 Sociando
A very classic wine for patient connoisseurs, Sociando Mallet makes no compromises and continues to produce one of the finest wines among non-classified estates in Haut-Medoc. Dense purple to the rim, the opaque purple-colored 2010 offers up notes of graphite, blueberry and black raspberry fruit, a hint of cassis, some licorice and wet rocks. Deep, full-bodied and almost excruciatingly tannic, this full-throttle, balls-to-the-wall style of wine needs at least 8-10 years of cellaring and should keep for three decades or more.
Score: 91+ Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (205), March 2013
2009 Sociando
This uncompromising property has turned out a backward, forbiddingly tannic wine that, even in this very opulent and flamboyant vintage, will need a minimum of 10-15 years of cellaring yet keep for 40 or more years. Opaque black/purple, with notes of crushed rock, white flowers, graphite, blueberry and cassis, the wine is tight and needs to be coaxed from the glass. It is medium to full-bodied, with an excruciatingly tough-textured finish. Everything is here, and the wine is set for a long life, but it is not the least bit charming and certainly won?t be for at least another decade.
Score: 90 Robert Parker, Feb 2012
2006 Sociando
Classic aromas of black currants, graphite, powdered wet rocks, and earthy undertones compete with the intense black currant fruit present in this structured, medium to full-bodied, concentrated 2006. Always an over-achiever, Sociando Mallet is built for 20-30 years of longevity. The elegant, powerful, but backward 2006 requires patience. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025.
Score: 90 Robert Parker, February 2009
2005 Sociando
Always one of the most ageworthy and backward wines of Bordeaux, Sociando Mallet could be described as the poor man’s version of Latour or Montrose. Based on the still painfully young bottles of the 1975 and 1982 in my cellar, the 2005 will undoubtedly last for 30-40 years. It exhibits graphite, black currant liqueur, smoke, and toast characteristics, zesty acidity, huge tannins, and equally massive concentration and extract. From a proprietor who consistently transcends his pedigree, it is a beauty of purity and symmetry. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2040."
Score: 91+ Robert Parker
In the era of grade inflation, Sociando’s ratings have not budged. That should tell us that things have not changed, or if they have, not much.
All due respect, but Parker’s ratings are certainly not what I look at these days and I think unlikely to discern a change in style (especially if the style is toward his palate). Still, I hope it is true that things have not changed. I do see in my inventory that I did pick up a sixer of the 2010 for $25 per, so I will eventually judge for myself.
The notes are pretty darned consistent as well. Think of the points as a negative indicator. If the style had changed the points would have gone up.
Actually, looking at this telling part of Parker’s description of the 2010, that sounds nothing like any Sociando I’ve tried when young, including the 2003 and 2005, and certainly not the 2004, 2002, 1999 or 1998. No?
Though looking back at older notes, he uses the same descriptors. Blueberry has been coming up for ages.
Robert, I’ll crack my last 1982 SM this weekend in honor of this thread. Thanks for bringing this wonderful property to the forefront.
Bingo.
Color me jealous! I gave KennyH my last '82 Sociando. Post notes!