2003 - Sociando-Mallet, Haut-Medoc

Soft red, with a freshness on the attack that gives an impressive reminder of the clays in the soil here, and in the proximity to the river with its cooling breezes. Expect a different profile due to the heat of the vintage, giving notes of cumin, sandalwood, orange peel, jasmine, with raspberry coulis and blackberry fruits. Touch of rusticity on the finish, but this is a delicious wine fully in its drinking window, should have another decade ahead of it. Harvest September 29 to October 11 (late for the year). Michel-Bernard Couasnon consultant. 90ha in production, 45h/h yield, 80% new oak.

The 2003 Sociando-Mallet is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc picked between September 10 and 24. It was aged in new oak barrels for 11 months. Coming from the north Médoc, it would have enjoyed onshore breezes that mitigated the summer heat. The bouquet shows no signs of that warmth, offering notes of pressed flowers, pomegranate, smoke and tobacco that open up nicely with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition, a delicate touch of white pepper and sage, good depth and a very cohesive, tobacco and spice finish that lingers long in the mouth. This is a great wine for the vintage and continues to give a lot of pleasure. Tasted at the vertical tasting at Sociando-Mallet.