Why it matters
The producer
The property was the residence of a Basque nobleman named Sièvre Sociando in 1633. Madame Mallet acquired it around 1850, giving the estate the second half of its name. Today the property covers 120 hectares, with 88 hectares in production. Its vineyard is planted 54 percent to Merlot, 42 percent to Cabernet Sauvignon and 4 percent to Cabernet Franc.
Jean Gautreau's daughter Sylvie took over management in 2017. The estate makes Haut-Médoc red wine from those three grape varieties.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne lies at the far northern end of the Haut-Médoc appellation, less than five kilometers north of Saint-Estèphe. Château Sociando-Mallet overlooks the Gironde river. Its gravel lies over clay, sand and limestone, while the river position protects the vines from frost and significant temperature fluctuations.
Wines to know
The range in view
Château Sociando-Mallet 2023 is the grand vin, the estate's principal Haut-Médoc red. La Demoiselle de Sociando-Mallet is the second wine. The grand vin is aged in approximately 90 to 95 percent new oak for about 12 months.
In the glass, the wine has a complex bouquet of red and black fruit with mineral, floral and spicy notes. It has a cool style with the gravel character of the left bank. New French oak can add spice and texture while allowing gradual oxygen exposure during ageing, placing those fruit and mineral notes in a firmly oaked Bordeaux style.