Chateau Sociando-Mallet
Dating back to the early 17th century, this Chateau is classified only as a Cru Bourgeois. Despite this, it consistently produces wines that match or even overshadow those produced by many of its supposedly more prestigious neighbours.
The vineyard lies on a gravel croupe - the same gravelly soils that are typically found along the banks of the Gironde. It is this terroir, common to some of the great Chateau of the Médoc, that lends the wines of Sociando-Mallet their complex, supple character. The varieties planted are 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, with the remaining 5% comprising Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Manual harvesting is followed by fermentation in both concrete and stainless-steel vats. High temperatures are permitted to maximise the extraction of tannins.
The wines undergo three weeks of maceration, before extensive oak ageing. They possess a classy coolness and finesse, which contrasts with the more rustic, rougher styles of some of their illustrious neighbours.