WTN: 2014 Chateau Sociando Mallet

[David M. Bueker]

2014 Château Sociando-Mallet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc (11/7/2019)
Blind tasted last night as part of a varied group, the 2014 Sociando Mallet stood out. The aromatics were fascinating, with cedar, pine, dark red fruit, spices, some green tobacco leaf and a refreshing note of citrus peel. There was universal agreement around the table that this wine smelled great. Almost all of that aromatic complexity translated to the palate, with some more focus on the fruit, and eventually the firm tannins that tightened up on the finish. Medium weight, and blissfully free of any alcoholic burn (a flaw of a few other wines in the tasting), this was a joy to drink, and seems to have a long and promising future.

Sounds good. I've pretty much dropped out of buying young Bdx (a few '15s, '09s, ;08s) so have only tasted couple '14s, but seems like a good vintage with more open drinking window

[David M. Bueker]

So far, yes.

I like the wines, and they are relatively inexpensive for current Bordeaux.

Sociando used to call for relatively long aging. I have 1986 that is just coming around. Has their style changed, or are you just being tannin resistant in the name of adding to our wine knowledge (if so, bravo).

[David M. Bueker]

I think this was reflective of the vintage. It was part of a blind tasting, so I drank what’s I was served. There’s structure, but it’s nicely balanced.

Sometimes young Bordeaux can be as subtle as a flying mallet.

OK, I only wrote that for the pun.

[David M. Bueker]

Even if it’s tannic you can still get hammered.