1996 Ch. Sociando Mallet, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux
Fine perfume at the beginning… cedar, cassis and licorice. I am quite surprised, very charming presentation with a certain soft touch which is quite unique for a Sociando Mallet. Red currant, ripe strawberry, raw meat, herbs, earth and minerals. Of course at this stage vibrant tannins&acidity. At the end of the night the wine shut down. Also on day 2 relatively closed. Next bottle in 5-10 years. Conclusion, I should have drunken the whole bottle in the first 60min.
90-91+/100
Nice note, Martin - good to see you posting TN’s too!!
I learned something from this note, actually, regarding wines that close down. If you have one that is possibly closed, or in a stage in between, and it shows well when you open it, take it down to the last drop!
I don’t see many notes for Sociando Mallet for some reason…wonder if it is more widely available in Europe.
Todd,
Sociando Mallet is widely available in Europe. In France for around 20 Euro which is a steal. And for example the 1990 version is such a great Bordeaux.
Cheers,
Martin
Here a worth-reading article of Jancis Robinson about a Sociando Mallet-Vertical a few weeks ago.
“Ch Sociando-Mallet 1996 Haut-Médoc 17 Drink 2010-25
Harvest date 23 Sep-8 Oct; yield 65.1 hl/ha; vineyard area 56.48 ha
Deep crimson – looks very healthy and nuanced. Heady and almost medicinal on the nose. Very fresh and lively. Most appetising and succulent. Not overdone – just what you want of young claret. This is the first vintage (since 1969 tasted to the present) that doesn’t seem quite ready yet. Great balance in lively key.”
Thank you Jancis!
Great idea but I’ve never been able to tell a wine is going to shut down after opening it unless it is already shut down. I like SM with some age on them. And a relatively good bargain.
Todd, a german friend and Bordeaux-expert confirmed my experience, “typical development for a ´96”.
Paul, therefore I posted my note to help you! This means drink it in the first 60min. or wait some years. 