La Demoiselle de Sociando-Mallet Haut-Médoc 2022 - Second vin

A leading figure in the Médoc, Jean Gautreau is one of the architects of the region’s wine revival. Respected by his peers, he has elevated Sociando-Mallet to the status of a cru classé, significantly expanding the vineyard since his purchase in 1969. Today, of the estate’s 85 hectares, about 50 are of third- or even second-growth quality. Assisted by his daughter, Jean Gautreau is one of the few owners who personally oversees the winemaking process. These are benchmark wines, with an inimitable character and identity. True to their Médoc heritage, they always exhibit great finesse. The estate now features a guesthouse, Villa Sociando, located at the Port de la Maréchale, 3 kilometers from the estate.

The château’s second wine is 70% Merlot, with aromas of cherry, white pepper, and roasted notes. A hint of menthol and lovely freshness lighten the full-bodied palate, which is beautifully rounded with tannins that are still just a touch firm. A little aging will soften them. 2027–2032

In the 17th century, it was a noble estate belonging to a Basque family, the Sossiandos. Confiscated during the Revolution, it has had several owners. At the end of the last century, Jean Gautreau recognized its potential. A wine broker at Miailhe, he founded his own company in the late 1950s to sell wines in the Benelux countries. A client commissioned him to find an estate with excellent terroir. He discovered Sociando-Mallet: overlooking the estuary, a superb hill of gravel on a clay subsoil. Since the client did not follow through, he purchased it for himself in 1969, restructured it, expanded it (originally 5 ha, now 82), and built a winery. Although unclassified, it is one of the appellation’s leading estates, now run by Sylvie, the daughter of Jean Gautreau, who passed away in 2019.

 

Sociando-Mallet is a well-known brand that has won the hearts of true wine lovers. Many vintages from this lovely estate in the northern Médoc are on par with very good classified growths. Jean Gautreau, who spent half a century building Sociando-Mallet, passed away in late 2019, passing the torch to his daughter Sylvie. Widely available in France and Belgium, the wine remains a safe bet and, above all, offers consistently excellent value for the price. A major replanting project was launched about ten years ago, leading the estate to produce wines with a greater emphasis on Merlot. These wines have more roundness but likely less character. We no longer quite find the magical brilliance of the 1982, 1990, or 1996 vintages, which remain benchmarks.

Fresh aromas of spicy cherries, blackcurrants, minerals, olives, and paprika. Juicy and medium-bodied on the palate, with fine tannins. A clean, fruity finish with good length. Well-balanced. The structure is more mineral than full-bodied. Best enjoyed starting in 2026.

The intense fruitiness of the Demoiselle de Sociando’s bouquet is a clear invitation to taste the wine! Notes of blackcurrant and elderberry, complemented by a hint of cinnamon, make it irresistible. It has a pleasant sweetness on the palate, where the wine displays character while still highlighting its savory depth. I believe this wine can be enjoyed even in its youth, though it’s worth noting that it also has respectable aging potential. 2026–2037