Château Sociando-Mallet
About Château Sociando-Mallet
Château Sociando-Mallet took its name from 2 former owners – Sossiondo, a nobleman from the Basque region who founded the estate in 1633, and a naval captain by the name of Achille Mallet who married Marie-Elisabeth Alaret, the owner of the estate at that time. Amidst the changes in ownership, Château Sociando-Mallet at one point shared the same owner as Château Pontoise Cabarrus.
The estate ended a run of inconsistency when it was purchased by Bordeaux négociant Jean Gautreau in 1969, who did so while searching for an estate to buy on behalf of a client. Jean undertook the monumental task of breathing a new lease of life into the dilapidated estate, increasing the acreage from a paltry 5 hectares to the 83 hectares today and increasing the proportion of Merlot vines, which was previously dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon. Jean excelled in making wines expressive of the excellent terroir that his estate in the Haut-Médoc has to offer and his clarets are well-structured and rich, with superb ageing potential.

Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Bordeaux | 3 | 89-91 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. VAT
£204.29 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (89-91)The 2019 La Demoiselle Sociando-Mallet has a light and breezy bouquet with raspberries and bilberry fruit, hints of the Gironde estuary in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy black fruit laced with tobacco, old school and all the better for it. Give it a couple of years in bottle. |
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Bordeaux | 15 | 86 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. VAT
£402.29 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (86)The 2003 Cuvée Jean Gautreau is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc picked between September 10 and 24. It has a fragrant bouquet of well-defined black fruit mixed with fresh fig and a touch of canned prune, but as with the 2003 Sociando-Mallet, there is no sense of overripeness. The fleshy palate is medium-bodied with soft tannin and touches of prune, white pepper and sage. Missing some tension on the finish, but otherwise this is drinking well. Tasted at the vertical tasting at Sociando-Mallet. |
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Bordeaux | 15 | 87 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. VAT
£396.29 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (87)The 2011 Cuvée Jean Gautreau is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc picked between September 7 and 27. It has a simple, earthy bouquet that feels a bit dull compared to the excellent 2009 and 2010 vintages. The medium-bodied palate is nicely balanced, simple but focused, displaying fine tannin and tobacco-tinged black fruit on the rather short finish. Tasted at the vertical tasting at Sociando-Mallet. |
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Bordeaux | 15 | 89 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. VAT
£389.09 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (89)The 2012 Cuvée Jean Gautreau is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc picked between September 28 and October 15. It has more definition and vivacity than the 2011, offering black fruit, tobacco and graphite notes; the Cabernet is clearly in the driver’s seat while Merlot gives directions. The ripe palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. This is perhaps the most modern in style of all the Cuvée Jean Gautreaus that I have tasted, yet there is panache here, and it feels long and tender in the mouth. Tasted at the vertical tasting at Sociando-Mallet. |
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Bordeaux | 15 | 92 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. VAT
£464.98 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (92)The 2014 Cuvée Jean Gautreau is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot picked between September 23 and October 11. It has a much more appealing bouquet than the 2013, offering a mixture of red and black fruit, cedar and smoke; clarity increases with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh, showing supple tannin, a fine line of acidity and a well-defined, sensual finish that takes the oak in stride. This is an excellent Cuvée Jean Gautreau that should age with style. Tasted at the vertical tasting at Sociando-Mallet. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (RVF) |
Inc. VAT
£955.27 |
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LaRVF (95)Dans une année très favorable au cabernet-sauvignon de grands terroirs, Sociando-Mallet brille d'un éclat fabuleux, avec en outre une ampleur et une rondeur de constitution qui font oublier la dureté relative de certains grands millésimes de la décennie précédente. Du grand art. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 89-92 (VN (ST)) |
Inc. VAT
£913.27 |
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (89-92)(a blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot and 5% cabernet franc, as was the case with the 2003) Full ruby-red. Black fruits, violet, licorice and dark chocolate on the nose. Full, dense and sweet, with lively flavors of black raspberry and dark chocolate. Finishes with very fine tannins. The cabernet was harvested at even higher grape sugars than it was in 2003, notes Gautreau. |
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Bordeaux | 3 | 94 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. VAT
£212.40 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (94)The 2005 Sociando-Mallet is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc picked between September 19 and October 6. It has a very well defined bouquet of red currant, cranberry and wild strawberry fruit; pressed white flowers emerge later, along with a hint of truffle. The medium-bodied palate shows wonderful definition, good cohesion and a touch of spice and black pepper. The tannins are very fine and focused, and the finish fans out wonderfully. I remember being impressed with this out of barrel, and 13 years later it is seriously fulfilling its potential. Tasted at the vertical tasting at Sociando-Mallet. |
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Bordeaux | 14 | 93 (WE) |
Inc. VAT
£566.47 |
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Wine Enthusiast (93)With a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine has both structured and superbly rich fruit. The tannins are firm, but show a sweet, enticing edge to them, giving a full body and classic, fresh black currant acidity. An impressive wine, which definitely needs to age—five years or more. |
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Bordeaux | 100 | 92-93 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£405.67 |
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James Suckling (92-93)A balanced and harmonious barrel sample with subtle yet firm tannin structure and a long and delicious finish. Should improve nicely with barrel aging. |
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Bordeaux | 3 | 91-92 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£462.07 |
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James Suckling (91-92)This shows focus and brightness for a 2017 with firm and silky tannins and a vivid character. Fine and polished texture. Beautiful. Close to the 2015. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 94-95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£520.87 |
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James Suckling (94-95)There is fantastic purity of black fruit with blackberries and ripe raspberries. Floral and bright. Full-bodied, compact palate with super polished tannins. Really fantastic. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 93-94 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£273.64 |
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James Suckling (93-94)Blackberries, blackcurrants and flowers on the nose and palate. Medium body, firm tannins and a long, fresh finish. Linear, refined tannins. Subtle now. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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|
Bordeaux | 3 | 89-91 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
£151.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (89-91)The 2019 La Demoiselle Sociando-Mallet has a light and breezy bouquet with raspberries and bilberry fruit, hints of the Gironde estuary in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy black fruit laced with tobacco, old school and all the better for it. Give it a couple of years in bottle. |
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|
Bordeaux | 15 | 86 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
£316.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Neal Martin (86)The 2003 Cuvée Jean Gautreau is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc picked between September 10 and 24. It has a fragrant bouquet of well-defined black fruit mixed with fresh fig and a touch of canned prune, but as with the 2003 Sociando-Mallet, there is no sense of overripeness. The fleshy palate is medium-bodied with soft tannin and touches of prune, white pepper and sage. Missing some tension on the finish, but otherwise this is drinking well. Tasted at the vertical tasting at Sociando-Mallet. |
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|
Bordeaux | 15 | 87 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
£311.00 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (87)The 2011 Cuvée Jean Gautreau is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc picked between September 7 and 27. It has a simple, earthy bouquet that feels a bit dull compared to the excellent 2009 and 2010 vintages. The medium-bodied palate is nicely balanced, simple but focused, displaying fine tannin and tobacco-tinged black fruit on the rather short finish. Tasted at the vertical tasting at Sociando-Mallet. |
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|
Bordeaux | 15 | 89 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
£305.00 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (89)The 2012 Cuvée Jean Gautreau is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc picked between September 28 and October 15. It has more definition and vivacity than the 2011, offering black fruit, tobacco and graphite notes; the Cabernet is clearly in the driver’s seat while Merlot gives directions. The ripe palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. This is perhaps the most modern in style of all the Cuvée Jean Gautreaus that I have tasted, yet there is panache here, and it feels long and tender in the mouth. Tasted at the vertical tasting at Sociando-Mallet. |
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|
Bordeaux | 15 | 92 (VN (NM)) |
In Bond
£349.00 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (92)The 2014 Cuvée Jean Gautreau is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot picked between September 23 and October 11. It has a much more appealing bouquet than the 2013, offering a mixture of red and black fruit, cedar and smoke; clarity increases with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh, showing supple tannin, a fine line of acidity and a well-defined, sensual finish that takes the oak in stride. This is an excellent Cuvée Jean Gautreau that should age with style. Tasted at the vertical tasting at Sociando-Mallet. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (RVF) |
In Bond
£764.00 |
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LaRVF (95)Dans une année très favorable au cabernet-sauvignon de grands terroirs, Sociando-Mallet brille d'un éclat fabuleux, avec en outre une ampleur et une rondeur de constitution qui font oublier la dureté relative de certains grands millésimes de la décennie précédente. Du grand art. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 89-92 (VN (ST)) |
In Bond
£729.00 |
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (89-92)(a blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot and 5% cabernet franc, as was the case with the 2003) Full ruby-red. Black fruits, violet, licorice and dark chocolate on the nose. Full, dense and sweet, with lively flavors of black raspberry and dark chocolate. Finishes with very fine tannins. The cabernet was harvested at even higher grape sugars than it was in 2003, notes Gautreau. |
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|
Bordeaux | 3 | 94 (VN (NM)) |
Inc. VAT
£212.40 |
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Vinous - Neal Martin (94)The 2005 Sociando-Mallet is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc picked between September 19 and October 6. It has a very well defined bouquet of red currant, cranberry and wild strawberry fruit; pressed white flowers emerge later, along with a hint of truffle. The medium-bodied palate shows wonderful definition, good cohesion and a touch of spice and black pepper. The tannins are very fine and focused, and the finish fans out wonderfully. I remember being impressed with this out of barrel, and 13 years later it is seriously fulfilling its potential. Tasted at the vertical tasting at Sociando-Mallet. |
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|
Bordeaux | 14 | 93 (WE) |
In Bond
£440.00 |
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Wine Enthusiast (93)With a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine has both structured and superbly rich fruit. The tannins are firm, but show a sweet, enticing edge to them, giving a full body and classic, fresh black currant acidity. An impressive wine, which definitely needs to age—five years or more. |
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|
Bordeaux | 100 | 92-93 (JS) |
In Bond
£306.00 |
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James Suckling (92-93)A balanced and harmonious barrel sample with subtle yet firm tannin structure and a long and delicious finish. Should improve nicely with barrel aging. |
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Bordeaux | 3 | 91-92 (JS) |
In Bond
£353.00 |
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James Suckling (91-92)This shows focus and brightness for a 2017 with firm and silky tannins and a vivid character. Fine and polished texture. Beautiful. Close to the 2015. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 94-95 (JS) |
In Bond
£402.00 |
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James Suckling (94-95)There is fantastic purity of black fruit with blackberries and ripe raspberries. Floral and bright. Full-bodied, compact palate with super polished tannins. Really fantastic. |
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|
Bordeaux | 2 | 93-94 (JS) |
In Bond
£212.00 |
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James Suckling (93-94)Blackberries, blackcurrants and flowers on the nose and palate. Medium body, firm tannins and a long, fresh finish. Linear, refined tannins. Subtle now. |