2006 | Château Sociando-Mallet

One of the finest gravelly terroirs in the northern Médoc, Sociando Mallet became famous when Jean Gautreau bought the estate in 1969. Its 83 hectares in the heart of a rich biodiversity of forest and pasture, close to the Gironde estuary, produce a blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 54% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. The wines of Château Sociando-Mallet have a bouquet of black fruit aromas with a touch of minerality and an elegant, well-integrated oakiness. Often a little ‘virile’ when young, the wines gain in balance and complexity with age. For many years, Jean Gautreau was a tireless ambassador for this lovely estate. After his death in 2019, his daughter Sylvie will carry on the family legacy with the same passion and energy. Our selection

The Haut-Médoc is a sub-appellation within the larger Médoc appellation on the left bank of Bordeaux. Situated between the Gironde estuary that runs down to the city of Bordeaux and the Atlantic coast, this is the home of some of Bordeaux’s famous chateaux. The six famous communes of the Médoc are contained within its boundaries: Margaux, Moulis, Listrac, St Julien, Pauillac and St Estèphe. The vineyard land that lies outside of these communes is classified as the Haut-Médoc; the result being that you can often find well-known Cru Bourgeois chateaux alongside the Cru Classé chateaux in the same appellation.

Rather confusingly, the Haut-Medoc is located in the south of the Médoc region and extends down to the city of Bordeaux; the southern most classified growths of the Haut-Médoc being Chateau La Lagune and Chateau Cantemerle. In the north of the Médoc peninsula, furthest away from Bordeaux, the vineyards are classified simply as Médoc.

Haut-Médoc wines offer reliability and consistency. Produced primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot can also be found in the blend. The wines tend to be quite rich and structured with classic Bordeaux flavours of blackcurrant, cigar, oak and plums. Usually good to drink quite young, these wines can age well for about ten years. They work well when paired with grilled meats and stews. Our selection