2018 Sociando Mallet 6 Pack

95 POINTS

James Suckling

I like the blueberry, chocolate, blackcurrant and dark chocolate. Some tar and crushed lead pencil, too. Full body and firm, creamy tannins with a lovely texture and roundness. Extremely well polished and exciting. One of the best Sociandos in a long time. Best after 2025.

94 POINTS

Peter Moser - Falstaff

Deep dark ruby, purple reflections, delicate bright rim. Fine noble wood savouriness, black berry fruit, nuances of liquorice, orange zest, some nougat. Juicy, powerful, elegant, sweet cherries, ripe tannins, mineral and fresh, safe ageing potential.

94 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

A beautiful rich damson colour, this is powerful, intense, classic Sociando - and for me it's even better than the 2016. It has good tannins, and lots of them, with a core of plum, damson and cassis with a side of fresh herbs, liquorice and subtle spice. It shows great persistency. A wine to look out for.

94 POINTS

James Suckling

There is fantastic purity of black fruit with blackberries and ripe raspberries. Floral and bright. Full-bodied, compact palate with super polished tannins. Really fantastic. Points: 94-95

93 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2018 Sociando Mallet, which comes wrapped in a resplendent 50th-anniversary label to celebrate the late Jean Gautreau’s acquisition of the estate, takes some time to really coalesce on the nose, eventually revealing boysenberry and mulberry scents and cedar and light earthy aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that belie the concentration of this Sociando-Mallet. Very cohesive, it delivers plenty of red fruit mixed with sous-bois and tobacco, though there is just a little more dryness on the finish than I was expecting. Give it 3–5 years in bottle if you can.

93 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2018 Sociando Mallet delivers a convincing bouquet of blackberry, boysenberry, cedar and light earthy/terra-cotta aromas and nicely integrated oak. The palate is svelte on the entry, offering very good acidity, layered red berry fruit laced with cassis and crushed stone, and an atypically plush, sensual finish. This might well be the best Sociando Mallet I have encountered at this stage, and it will age with style and grace. Chapeau , Jean and Sylvie Gautreau! Highly recommended. Points: 92-94

91 POINTS

Wine Spectator

Offers a good dose of currant and blackberry paste flavors, coated with tobacco and tar details. Shows more guts than polish, but solid nonetheless. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Score range: 90-93