I own more Sociando than any other single wine (Ridge has a big lead in total by producer, but that’s not fair given how many different wines they make). Someone on the “inside” was minimizing S-M on another board not long ago for low standards due mainly to large yields, and I was like, if this is what high yields give, bring them on!
The funny thing is how much Parker seems to like this wine. He gave the 2000, 2001 and 2005 93 pts and I think he’s gone even higher on the 2003.
Intersting, Pat. I had no clue that Parker was big on this wine. Who woulda thunk it!!
I can see him digging the 2003, that’s one ripe and spicey bitch but somehow pulls it off.
We can no longer be friends.
1997 Ridge Geyserville. We still have a few left.
Thanks,
Ed
+1!
Big Doc is a lover of life, Alan, while we are mere masochists!
He’s an enigma, alright. I just happened to see an older post of his in another thread, recommending… Arnot-Roberts Clary Ranch Syrah ![[wow.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/7/7d450e9830889c8943b674446a21b7254cad657e.gif "wow"){kind=small}
You guys don’t like the 01 Pavie, the last great vintage? Alan come up and I’ll pop one, you two will dig it.
You inspired me, Robert. I opened an 01 Sociando. I will report back as just opened, but it smells fab already.
My wheelhouse Medocs are similar/same at Pat & Robert (S-M, Charmail, Lanessan), although we enjoy more right banks around our place, especially when reading or watching a movie. In that case, we’re fond of Faugeres and the admittedly commercially oriented de Sales.
It refills? No wonder you dig it!
Does every bottle do this, or only the “generous” vintages?
Good post Roberto.
Mine is Pape Clement.
It started well, and with good intentions, but I seem to be moving slowly today . . . .
When I could get it, my go-to red was Mugneret-Gibourg Bourgogne.
Now that I cannot I am searching for one. It’s probably Ridge Lytton Springs for now which I live, but it’s too rich for most of the food I eat.
As for white, it’s Selbach-Oster - any Selbach-Oster. Donnhoff is the star of the house, but I don’t get to open those without spousal approval. 
The Ridge Geyserville would certainly be up near the top for me. Funny about the whites, I do not drink near as much whites as guys like you and Salil, but every time I crack open a Donnhoff, I chastise myself for not having more. I had a dinner party last Saturday, and even with all the fun reds we kept opening, it was a night where I really preferred drinking the Donnhoffs and the Will Schafer. They were excellent, but also paired better with the creative small plates being served. The Selbach is a fantastic recommendation. My local guy just started carrying the full range, including the very inexpensive Kabinett that costs about $16 and is really decent every day fare. And wife approved.
Edit: Just reminded me that tomorrow is stone crab claw night. Gotta line up a Vatan and some Donnhoff.
Felsina CCR
Been enjoying Sociando-Mallet more and more over the past few years. Went through a bunch of 08s and a couple 01s. I definitely need more exposure to $25 - $50 Bordeaux offerings, but the more like Sociando in structure and style, the better.
My cellar is broad but only deep (in relative terms) for Pinots/Burgs. There’s no way I can declare a “singular wheelhouse wine” because my tastes are too broad. It depends on timing, mood, weather, food, etc.
Wines I typically consider in my wheelhouse (definitely not a complete list!):
Pepiere Briords
Landron Amphibolite
Pattes Loup and DeMoor Chablis
Clemens Busch Marienburg GG
Keller Von der Fels
Pinon Vouvray Cuvee Silex
Thomas Labaille Sancerre Monts Damnes
Ligher Bojo - Metras Fleurie Printemps, Thivin Cotes de Brouilly
Lapierre Morgon, Chamonard Morgon, Metras Fleurie, Vissoux (almost everything), a number of Bruns.
Montesecondo Chianti, Montevertine
Almost a dozen OR Pinot Makers and wines!
Jadot Ursules
Drouhin Clos des Mouches
Chevillon NSGs (several)
Bize SLB Vergelesses
Grivot and Mugneret Gibourg VR
Baudry Chinons
C&P Breton Bourgueil
Texier St. Julien en St. Alban Domaine Pergaud Vieille Serine (and others)
Gonon St Joseph
ESJ Syrahs
Chartogne-Taillet Heurtebise and St. Anne
Baumard Quarts de Chaume
RT
I’ve only been seriously drinking wine for a few years so I can’t really say what my wheelhouse wine is. However, having drank an '01 a month ago, I will say that I love me some Sociando.
Also, If Michael wants to get rid of his '01s, might as well be to me. I’m (I think) the geographically closest, so I can just drive over and pick them up and not have to worry about shipping.
Palate: Fresh and sharp with what can be best described as “smooth” acidity (easy to drink with bit of a tart kick) and fine grained, prickly tannins. There’s a bit more fruit here as it presents with some black cherries and cassis.
Finish: The herbaceous “savory-ness” that is prevalent on the nose really shines on the backside. Green peppers and smoke with tart, dried cherries thanks to a bright acidity.
Thoughts: This is an amazing drink. I enjoyed the prevalent green notes as they played off of the less well defined fruit. Medium bodied and angular, it’s very fresh and drinkable if not a still a little young. (92 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker
I enjoyed reading that, Chris. We clearly drank the same wine and perceived the same things.
I prefer it to the sexy 2003, and it’s likely better than the 2000, but the green and ash in the 2000 really appeals to me. The 2001, right now, is the better overall wine IMHO.
Robert, it’s always nice to read a note similar to your own, it’s almost as if you and someone else sat down at a table and drank out of the same bottle, even thought the two experiences were separated by distance and time. It emphasizes what I feel to be the best aspect of wine enjoyment; the social one.
Speaking of Sociando Mallet, I actually have some bottles of '96, '00 and '03 showing up today and a few bottles of '90 that I hope will be arriving soon (or they won’t be arriving until this fall, winter is over in the south and spring is in full gear).