Château Sociando-Mallet - Haut-Médoc 2012

Bettane & Desseauve

About wine:

A nose of black fruits, freshness, with spicy notes. Dense, straightforward, taut on the palate, offering beautiful length, punctuated by very fine tannins!

About the estate:

A key figure in the Médoc region, Jean Gautreau is one of the architects of the revival of its wines. Respected by his peers, he has raised Sociando-Mallet to the level of a classified growth, greatly expanding the vineyard since its purchase in 1969. Today, of the estate's 85 hectares, around 50 are classified as third or even second growths. Assisted by his daughter, Jean Gautreau is one of the few owners who supervises the winemaking process himself. These are benchmark wines with an inimitable touch and identity. Médoc wines through and through, they always display great finesse. The estate now has a guesthouse, the Villa Sociando, at the port of La Maréchale, 3 kilometers from the estate.

Guide Hachette des vins

About wine:

2010, 2011, 2012: a fine series of Favorites the estate, which once again offers a superb wine, perfectly characterized by its Médoc finesse. The bouquet harmoniously blends smoky, coffee, and fresh fruit (blackcurrant) notes. On the palate, we find the same complexity and a beautiful progression of flavors, both fruity and spicy. The tannic structure is soft and silky, fine and tight, and the finish is long and elegant. Fruit, substance, structure, terroir—it's all there. 2018-2025

About the estate:

In the 17th century, it was a noble estate belonging to a Basque family, the Sossiandos. Confiscated during the Revolution, it had several owners. At the end of the last century, Jean Gautreau recognized its potential. A broker at Miailhe, he set up his own company in the late 1950s to sell wines in the Benelux countries. A client asked him to find a property with good terroir. He discovered Sociando-Mallet: overlooking the estuary, a superb gravelly hilltop on clay subsoil. When the client did not follow through, he bought it for himself in 1969, restructured it, expanded it (originally 5 hectares, now 82), and built a winery. Although unclassified, it is one of the most important wines in the appellation, now run by Sylvie, daughter of Jean Gautreau, who died in 2019.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

Once again, owner Jean Gautreau has hit it out of the park with a magnificent blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. Wonderfully smooth, ripe tannins seem to be a rule of thumb for this great terroir just north of Château Montrose in Saint-Estèphe. A beautiful deep ruby/purple color, decent acidity, medium to full body, and amazing fruit place this wine among the best classified growths of the Médoc, yet it has never been classified. Go figure. Softer than I would have thought (I have been drinking and buying this wine since the mid-1970s), this wine will still age beautifully for 10 to 15 years and beyond.

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About wine:

The château has chosen to present us with a 2012 that holds up well and is perfect to drink today, demonstrating the vintage's good potential—which we have no doubt about. The tannins are integrated and have a lovely charm. A wine of medium power.

About the estate:

Sociando-Mallet is a highly renowned brand that has won the hearts of true wine lovers. Many vintages from this beautiful estate in the northern Médoc region are equivalent to very good classified growths. Jean Gautreau, who spent half a century building Sociando-Mallet, passed away at the end of 2019, leaving the torch to his daughter Sylvie. Widely distributed in France and Belgium, the wine remains a safe bet and, above all, offers consistently excellent value for money. A vast replanting project was initiated around ten years ago, forcing the estate to produce more "Merlot-dominated" wines. These are rounder, but probably less distinguished. We no longer find quite the same magical brilliance as in the 1982, 1990 or 1996 vintages, which remain the benchmarks.

James Suckling

About wine:

Intense aromas of red and black cherries with light floral notes. Full-bodied, silky tannins, lovely acidity, and a long, fruity finish. Polished tannins. Will open up. Even better in 2018.

Le Figaro vins

About wine:

In 2012, Sociando produced a dense, concentrated wine, firmly rooted in its Cabernets but nicely softened by Merlot, with a lovely, fairly supple finish of blackberry. Between 2016 and 2027.

Yves Beck

About wine:

Garnet red with purple highlights. Expressive bouquet revealing spicy notes with a hint of cinnamon and black pepper. Beautiful fruity intensity. On the palate, the wine is elegant, delicious, and flavorful. It is pleasantly balanced and perfectly accessible. A wine that can be enjoyed now and has good aging potential. Now – 2028