WTN: 1995 Sociando Mallet

[David M. Bueker]

1995 has been tricky, and Sociando is a tough cookie even in more forward years, so it's not surprising that this still shows a lot of backbone. There's a touch of the Sociando green as well, but it is counterbalanced by quite a lot of dark fruit. At this point it seems that there is more than ample fruit to reward continued cellaring which may in time tame the still agressive tannins.

I think I like this wine, but I cannot really say for sure. If it settles down a bit more then yes, but it's at a tipping point in its aging curve right now.

Will they ever come round? I have a few 95s including a half-dozen of this one to disinter from the bottom of a stack so that I can start cautiously trying them. There was an encouraging note about GPL a few days ago but now this one suggesting that another 5-10 years are desirable with no guarantees even then. SM is a tough one, of course, but Pichon-Baron, Rauzan-Ségla, Pontet-Canet, Poujeaux, Pontensac, etc. are not generally the most forward either. Has anyone tried any of these lately?

Tim,

I'm more worried about the '86s!

FWIW, I know that Mr. Parker said the '95 Sociando Mallet was going to need a lot of patience. It probably hasn't even entered his "window of drinkability".

I just posted my note from last month for the '95 Paradis-Casseuil (viewtopic.php?f=29&t=28892), and even that must have need some time to come around, since it is still in fine form at age 14.

[David M. Bueker]

Of those that I have had most recently Pontet Canet and Clerc Milon were the most promising. I don't think we necessarily need to worry about these wines, but they will not suit the modern time scale.