WTN: Sociando Mallet 2004

Typical Sociando green pepper and herb. Some good fleshy fruit with lots of espresso, and classy Bordeaux toasted oak. Good long finish with bitter black walnut. A little on the sweet side, not great concentration. Good but not great.
B

With Sociando's prices inching up, doesn't seem quite the great value of yesteryear. Thanks for notes

[David M. Bueker]

Sociando was only $34.99 for 2004 futures around here. The 2005 was only $44.99. Not so bad in context.

[Jenise]

Sociando was only $34.99 for 2004 futures around here. The 2005 was only $44.99. Not so bad in context.

Not bad at all.

While I certainly wouldn't call Sociando a bad value, it has definitely repositioned itself. I'm a Sociando fan, and currently own 7 vintages dating back to 1986. It used to consistently be priced right around du Tertre, Issan, Lagrange, and now is a tier higher (for reference, I paid between $19-22 for each in 2001 vintage, now the others are all $25 while Sociando starts at $35). It costs almost as much as the Leo-Barton (I paid $42 fopr '04 Barton).

At $35 the 2004 might be a good value, but not sure its the no-brainer it was for a couple decades. The question is how much I like it better than the $25 wines. In '96, '98, 99 , '00 & '01 initial prices were similar, but Sociando was clearly the class of the 4 (followed by Lagrange). Differences are much smaller last few years (except the '03 Lagrange sucked). With higher relative pricing, I'm less likely to just buy Sociando on faith. $35 isn't bad, but the Leo-Barton was $42.

Reminds me a bit of Lynch Bages after about the 1996 vintage. If enough people describe something as a consistent overachiever, prices will eventually catch up.

[David M. Bueker]

Well first of all I stand corrected: local futures price for 2005 Sociando: $41.99

As for comparisons, I can only use Lagrange, as my local places do not pick up d'Issan or Du Tetre. Sociando is still a few dollars less than Lagrange in my market.

2004 Barton was $44.99 on futures up here, $10 more than Sociando.

So at least in Northern, CT/Western, MA the value is still there.

Based on this tasting, this is not a 'buy' for me, and I am a frequent buyer of Sociando. If there is a choice between this and Leoville Barton at a slightly higher price, it is a no brainer.

[David M. Bueker]

Your note sounds like a somewhat fleshy, young Sociando. I would actually buy some (if I didn't already own it) based on your note.

Actually, I'd agree that $42 is pretty reasonable compared to a lot of 2005s. Maybe I should grab some from PJs (T & V doesn't deliver to NY).

Dale- Try it and the Leoville Barton (for $8 more at Zachy's) before you buy in quantity.

Matt, I was talking re the 2005 at $42. I'm not really looking the the $38+ 2004. You're the second so-so note I've seen from a taster I respect. I might buy one bottle to try on a whim (and then obviously can decide for me), but not going looking for the 2004.

However, as David noted, the 2005 is not especially expensive in the context of the vintage, and I might decide to try for a few of those.