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Chateau Sociando-Mallet Haut Medoc 1996 750ml

size
750ml
country
France
region
Bordeaux
appellation
Haut Medoc
DC
93
WA
90
VM
90
WS
90
Additional vintages
DC
93
Rated 93 by Decanter
This is one of the must-try wines in this line-up, because it absolutely stands up next to the Pauillac classified properties, and delivers on so much that is enjoyable about the 1996 Bordeaux vintage. Crème de cassis, chocolate, rich black fruits, and finely bonded open tannins. At its plateau now, for sure, with tertiary notes of undergrowth and tobacco leaf, but this has another decade ahead of it easily, and is a signature Médoc Cabernet-based blend. ... More details
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Chateau Sociando-Mallet Haut Medoc 1996 750ml

SKU 895217
Case Only Purchase
Long-term Pre-Arrival
$1043.40
/case
$86.95
/750ml bottle
Quantity
min order 12 bottles
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Professional Ratings
DC
93
WA
90
VM
90
WS
90
DC
93
Rated 93 by Decanter
This is one of the must-try wines in this line-up, because it absolutely stands up next to the Pauillac classified properties, and delivers on so much that is enjoyable about the 1996 Bordeaux vintage. Crème de cassis, chocolate, rich black fruits, and finely bonded open tannins. At its plateau now, for sure, with tertiary notes of undergrowth and tobacco leaf, but this has another decade ahead of it easily, and is a signature Médoc Cabernet-based blend.
WA
90
Rated 90 by Wine Advocate
A classic Sociando-Mallet, this wine boasts a saturated purple color, as well as an intense nose of cassis liqueur, chocolate, and minerals. Dense and medium-bodied, with outstanding purity, and high tannin, this beautifully made wine is better than many classified growths. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020.
VM
90
Rated 90 by Vinous Media
The 1996 Sociando-Mallet is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc picked between September 23 and October 8. This was aged 100% in new oak barrels for 12 months, followed by six months in tank. It has a generous, slightly chocolaty nose that I noticed before I realized that this vintage was matured entirely in new oak. I think the élevage rather dominates the aromatics, unlike the 1995, where it feels more integrated. The cohesive palate is medium-bodied with fine definition and perhaps offers a little more depth than the 1995. The finish is nicely sustained and leaves cracked black pepper and tobacco on the aftertaste. Very fine. Tasted at the vertical tasting at Sociando-Mallet.
WS
90
Rated 90 by Wine Spectator
Dark-colored, with vanilla, spice and smoky fruit flavor. Medium-bodied, with firm tannins and a silky texture. A stylish wine, showing spicy character. Sociando did the business this year. Best after 2001. 22,400 cases made, 100 cases imported.
Product Details
size
750ml
country
France
region
Bordeaux
appellation
Haut Medoc
Additional vintages
Overview
This is one of the must-try wines in this line-up, because it absolutely stands up next to the Pauillac classified properties, and delivers on so much that is enjoyable about the 1996 Bordeaux vintage. Crème de cassis, chocolate, rich black fruits, and finely bonded open tannins. At its plateau now, for sure, with tertiary notes of undergrowth and tobacco leaf, but this has another decade ahead of it easily, and is a signature Médoc Cabernet-based blend.
green grapes

Varietal: Red Bordeaux

The blended red wines of Bordeaux have gone down in history as the finest wines every produced, with collectors and many of the general public still eagerly anticipating the wineries of this region's new releases to this day. The secret to Bordeaux's monumental success has been their careful blending of high quality grape varietals, controlled and protected by French law. In Bordeaux, wineries can only produce red wines using a blend of two or more of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec or Carménere grape varietals, with the latter two becoming less and less commonly seen on bottles. The vast majority of Bordeaux red wines use Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grape varietals, boosted by a little Petit Verdot. These three grapes compliment each other beautifully as they age in oak, rounded out their tannins and the high astringency of the Sauvignon, and resulting in wonderfully complex flavors and aromas.
barrel

Region: Bordeaux

There are few wine regions in the world with a reputation as glowing and well established as that of the Bordeaux, in France. Situated mainly around the Dordogne and Gironde rivers, Bordeaux makes the most of its humid climate and rich, clay and gravel based soils to grow some of the finest examples of red and white grape varietals on earth. Wineries in this region have been in operation for hundreds of years, and have carefully developed the expertise required for the production of carefully balanced and utterly delicious blended red and white wines, alongside some exceptional single variety bottles. Many of the chateaux found in Bordeaux have become household names, due to their prestige and the excellence of their products, grown with love and dedication by heritage wineries in this beautiful and special region.
fields

Country: France

France is renowned across the globe for its quality wines and the careful expertise which goes into making them, but what is truly remarkable about this relatively small country is the vast range of wines it produces in such huge amounts each year. Not only are the finest red wines in the world said to come from the beautiful regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy, but elsewhere in the country we find the Champagne region, and areas such as the Rhone Valley and the Loire, whose white wines consistently receive awards and accolades by the plenty. This range is a result of the great variety of climatic conditions and terrain found in France, coupled with generations of wine makers working within single appellations. Their knowledge of specific terroirs and grape varieties has, over time, perfected the production of wines within their region, and the end results continue to impress the world to this day.
Customer Reviews
Customer Reviews

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More Details
green grapes

Varietal: Red Bordeaux

The blended red wines of Bordeaux have gone down in history as the finest wines every produced, with collectors and many of the general public still eagerly anticipating the wineries of this region's new releases to this day. The secret to Bordeaux's monumental success has been their careful blending of high quality grape varietals, controlled and protected by French law. In Bordeaux, wineries can only produce red wines using a blend of two or more of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec or Carménere grape varietals, with the latter two becoming less and less commonly seen on bottles. The vast majority of Bordeaux red wines use Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grape varietals, boosted by a little Petit Verdot. These three grapes compliment each other beautifully as they age in oak, rounded out their tannins and the high astringency of the Sauvignon, and resulting in wonderfully complex flavors and aromas.
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Region: Bordeaux

There are few wine regions in the world with a reputation as glowing and well established as that of the Bordeaux, in France. Situated mainly around the Dordogne and Gironde rivers, Bordeaux makes the most of its humid climate and rich, clay and gravel based soils to grow some of the finest examples of red and white grape varietals on earth. Wineries in this region have been in operation for hundreds of years, and have carefully developed the expertise required for the production of carefully balanced and utterly delicious blended red and white wines, alongside some exceptional single variety bottles. Many of the chateaux found in Bordeaux have become household names, due to their prestige and the excellence of their products, grown with love and dedication by heritage wineries in this beautiful and special region.
fields

Country: France

France is renowned across the globe for its quality wines and the careful expertise which goes into making them, but what is truly remarkable about this relatively small country is the vast range of wines it produces in such huge amounts each year. Not only are the finest red wines in the world said to come from the beautiful regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy, but elsewhere in the country we find the Champagne region, and areas such as the Rhone Valley and the Loire, whose white wines consistently receive awards and accolades by the plenty. This range is a result of the great variety of climatic conditions and terrain found in France, coupled with generations of wine makers working within single appellations. Their knowledge of specific terroirs and grape varieties has, over time, perfected the production of wines within their region, and the end results continue to impress the world to this day.