Château Sociando Mallet 2022 Haut-Médoc

Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider)
(93-95)/100 punten
Blackberries, black currants, flowers, cedar, mint, and tobacco fill the nose. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated, deep, and packed with layers of chalky, ripe, red fruits, spice, herb and cigar wrappers. This is among the best vintages of Sociando Mallet I have ever tasted.

Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux)
94/100 punten
Slap bang in the Haut-Médoc for this one, classic Left Bank with glass-staining purple in colour, slate and cassis, graphite and crushed stones, this is manages to be both muscular and restrained, exuberant and understated. Has the concentration of the vintage but controls it well - one to look out for, and proof that gravel could work in the heat of the vintage if the location is right, and the vineyard was treated carefully.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
(92-94)/100 punten
Aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with hints of mint, violets and licorice introduce the 2022 Sociando-Mallet, a medium to full-bodied, supple and lively wine that's deep, fleshy and seamless, with powdery tannins that assert themselves with promising youthful grip on the finish. It's a blend of 63% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc. Readers who remember how this estate acquitted itself in years such as 2003 and 1990 [Colaris: ook bijzonder hete oogstjaren] will not be surprised by its quality in 2022.

Decanter
92/100 punten
Intensely fragrant on the nose, richly concentrated black fruits and cool freshness. Mouthwatering acidity adds to quite cool blue fruits with graphite edges giving more freshness than fruit concentration which is nice. Tannins are well integrated, present but supportive and not overwhelming. Keeps a sleek frame and intention from start to finish. A really appealing wine that feels well worked, but still with density and minerality. Harvest 7-23 September. Yield of 22hl/ha. Ageing in French oak for 12 months, 85% new.

Neal Martin (Vinous)
(91-93)/100 punten
The 2022 Sociando-Mallet was picked 7-23 September at just 22hL/ha. This is very concentrated and quite opulent on the nose, bit of a bravura bouquet, layers of black cherry, Christmas cake and light undergrowth scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. Quite fresh, grippy in the mouth, my only quibble is that it feels a tad abrupt on the finish. Barrel maturation should address that.

Falstaff
94/100 punten
Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, brightening on the rim. Delicate notes of leather and black cherries, nougat and blackberries, orange zest is underlying, attractive bouquet. Substantial palate, dark berries, firm tannins, good freshness, dark chocolate, mineral and salty finish, convinces with length. Good ageing potential.