I seem to remember Robert A telling me that this was a bit plush and glossy, which unfortunately was correct on the first night. I decanted it for four or five hours, which did nothing to dispel the excessive jamminess of the fruit. The nose was certainly very winsome, full of ripe raspberry and blackberry, without a trace of green. The raspberry and blackberry are joined on the palate by a little blueberry, all adding up to a borderline syrupy cocktail, thankfully rescued by some cooler blackcurrant midpalate, but really not my cup of tea.
I put it back in the cellar for two days, with my fingers crossed - and voilĂ , a new wine emerged.
Last night, the jammy flavours had receded, with the cooler blackcurrant taking over completely, leaving a much more agreeable wine - very impressive indeed in fact, close in style to a top Pauillac. Nothing remotely green still, but a slight crispness to the finish which gives it the freshness it lacked the first night.
It needs a good five years but then could become an outstanding wine. Otherwise, a very long decant is needed.
It’s been a while since I tried a 95, but it’s certainly a good wine. However, if you have never tried SM before, I would choose a 2001 to start with. The SM style is not for everyone, because of the herbaceous streak it sometimes shows, but since you like Loire reds, this should not be a problem!
The good thing about SM is that in Europe at least, it’s so easy to find at auction, thanks to the huge annual output.
Actually, for those who really dislike the green side, the 09 (and the 10) would be perfect.
I have all vintages since 1984 so reach out if you want to taste
1995 is also the first vintage of Sociando Mallet Cuvee Jean Gautreau. You should also try to seek out a few bottles of these. Quite remarkable to compare with the normal cuvee
A six-pack (ex-cellar) just surfaced in my local market, too expensive to buy all but not too much to sample, first vintage and all. Looking forward to it soon.
You guys are really building up the 2001 hype .
Picking up my bottle for the Christmas vacation. I will end up super disappointed with my current expectations!
Finally got around to taste it. Perfectly stored bottle it seems. Very high fill and with the cork in super condition.
I really get the “A Loire drinkers Bordeaux” with a very clear green and vegetable’ish note running through it. But the fruit is still young and fresh with blackberries and raspberries. Pencil shavings and a bit of tobacco.
I like it. Happy that i bought another 01 from the same source. Will keep that bottle a few more years.
